Australians can now move more swiftly through customs at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport as it became the first US airport to extend its Automated Passport Control (APC) service to international travellers with ESTA approval.

Previously the facility was available only to US and Canada citizens.

With this upgrade, the multi-lingual APC kiosks now accept eligible travelers from 38 countries which do not require US entry visas.

"Chicago is leading the nation by implementing innovative technology and initiatives that create a faster, more efficient and welcoming experience for international visitors who arrive to the U.S.," Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said.

"This technology helps make O'Hare a more attractive airport for international travel and bolsters Chicago's position as a world-class destination."

Royal Caribbean has confirmed it is moving forward with plans to order a fourth Oasis-class ship for delivery in 2018.

The planned ship order was revealed by the cruise operator at the keel-laying ceremony for the third Oasis-class ship at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire in France.

“The Oasis Class was a revolution in maritime design when it was launched in 2009,” chairman and chief executive Richard Fain said.

“Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas continue to be in a class by themselves both in terms of guest satisfaction and financial returns. Today’s announcement is a reflection of their success.” 

Nearly 60,000 Australian visitors explored Dallas in 2013, making Australia the fourth largest overseas visitor market for the city.

The figures also showed 1.31 million international visitors arrived at DFW International Airport as their final destination, a 10% increase over last year.

“We continue to see growth in the Australian, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina markets (+20%) while the established Canadian and European Markets remain strong,” president and chief executive of the Dallas Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Phillip Jones said.

“Those double-digit increases are the reason why the announcement by Qantas Airways upgrading D/FW – Australia service to the Airbus A380 – the largest jumbo jet in the world – is so important.”

Virgin Australia will enhance its lounges in Brisbane and Melbourne as it continues to transform its domestic lounge network.

The Brisbane lounge will double in size with it to feature Premium Entry allowing guests to enter the lounge straight from the kerbside valet.

Meanwhile, the addition of Premium Exit in Melbourne will provide access to the departure pier from the lounge.

“We are looking forward to introducing new priority services in Brisbane and Melbourne so our guests in these key ports can enjoy more time in the lounge prior to their flight,” chief customer officer Mark Hassell said.

More than a million Australians visited Singapore in 2013, an increase of 7% over the previous year.

Based on the recent visitor arrival figures, 1,125,000 travellers from Australia visited the island city-state from January to December 2013 with the market maintaining its position as the fourth international visitor-generating market after Indonesia, China and Malaysia.

“We’re thrilled that increasingly more Australians are visiting our city and we’re excited to present the diverse range of experiences, from food, entertainment and attractions through to cultural festivals and nightlife that Singapore offers all-year round,” Singapore Tourism Board area director Oceania Sharon Lam said.

“In 2014, we want to continue telling more Aussies why Singapore should be included when planning their next holiday.”