Malaysia, which was hit by the mysterious disappearance of a flight in March, has listed the tourism industry as a key player in its drive to join the ranks of developed countries by 2020. Malaysia aims for 36 million visitors in 2020, up from 25 million last year and 29 million expected next year.

After "Visit Malaysia Year 2014", the next national campaign will be called "Malaysia Year of Festivals", with many events lined up around the country throughout next year including a rainforest festival, shopping festival, major sales fairs, and sports events, including motor racing under the new Formula E.

In May, British Airways will resume daily flights to Kuala Lumpur.

Pham Ha, founder and chief executive officer of Luxury Travel Vietnam, said next year would be a good time for Southeast Asia and Vietnam as Britain is still a strong market, Latin America is emerging, the English- and German-speaking markets continue increasing, and France is recovering.

"Vietnam is now offering world-class products - hotels, golf courses, helicopter tours, exclusive cruises and great air links. These are what tourists should visit in Vietnam," he said.

Experience North Korea, a Shanghai-based travel agency, said North Korea was now opening up more and recently promoted specialised travel such as surfing and skiing tours. However, with its poor international image, North Korea will likely find it hard to boost arrivals. The country welcomed fewer than 5,000 visitors last year.

Simon Press, senior exhibition director of World Travel Market 2014, said the industry could benefit from the opening of North Korea.

Andrew Phua, director for exhibitions and conferences at the Singapore Tourism Board, has said it is targeting business travellers and meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) participants from overseas. The STB's tourism demographic shows that business and MICE travellers are 30 per cent of the 14 million arrivals last year. It is targeting 15 million international visitors this year.

Thailand is one of the targeted countries as it contributes a higher proportion of business visitors than leisure tourists. Last year, Thai business travellers to Singapore spent about Bt39,000 per trip, while leisure travellers spent Bt26,000.

The Philippines is also stepping up efforts directed at the regional market to boost international arrivals from other Asean states through confirmed musical, sports and world conferences.

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Nations reveal plans to rake in more tourism revenue in 2015