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Globalisation then is the increased interconnectivity around the world. But what exactly underlies
this globalisation phenomenon, and who or what has contributed to our interconnected world? There
are several factors to be considered, a key one being transport. During the 19th century transport
and trade boomed with the development of railways and larger ships which facilitated the more
efficient movement of people and products around the world. The development of containerisation in
the 20th century has furthered this by allowing bulk shipping and lowering the unit cost. Air
transport has also made a major contribution to interconnectivity, and played a vital role in
facilitating economic growth, particularly in developing countries. Aviation promotes world trade
and helps countries contribute to the global economy by increasing access to intemational markets
and allowing the globalisation of production. Nearly 62 million tonnes of freight were carried by
air in 2017, while the total value of goods transported by air represents 35% of all international
trade. Aviation is also indispensable for tourism, a major driver of economic growth. Globally, 57%
of international tourists travel by air.
Fast forward to the 21st century and we enter a period characterised by increased technological
interconnectivity. Communication has become significantly easier with the increase in Information
and Communication Technology, the intemet, mobile technologies, and social media. This has made
possible access to all types of necessary information, leading to an increase in interactivity
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from different continents and countries of the world, providing the possibility of
