Holding a Maltese passport unlocks a wealth of visa-free travel, according to an annual index published by Henley and Partners, a global consultancy on residence and citizenship planning.

Malta ranks joint ninth with Malaysia in terms of the ease of visa free travel.

The index factors in 219 destination countries, therefore the maximum attainable score is 218 as one point is subtracted to account for a national travel travelling to one’s own country.

Malta was given a score of 163, which means that Maltese passport holders can travel to 163 different countries without requiring a visa, but 55 countries still require some form of visa from Maltese travellers.

Finland, Sweden and the UK top the index with a total score of 173.

Eriteria, the Palestinian Territory, Pakistan, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan are all in the bottom six of the table. Afghani passport holders have the bleakest visa free travel prospects, as they only have access to 28 destinations out of a possible 218.

Chinese guidebook to civilised tourism

Holders of a Chinese passport have unfettered access to 44 destinations, and thanks to a 64-page Guidebook to Civilised Tourism published by China’s national tourism administration, they also have strict instructions on how to act when abroad.

The guidebook contains several pearls of wisdom for Chinese travellers, helpfully reminding them to say “please” and “thank you.” Another nugget advises Chinese tourists not occupy the public toilet “for a very long time. It also advises them “not leave footprints on the toilet seats and flush after use."