Drama – Travel and tourism sectors | e-Consult
Travel and tourism sectors (1 questions)
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Answer: Both air and rail transport are used for international trade, but they have distinct strengths and weaknesses.
Air Transport:
- Advantages: Extremely fast, ideal for time-sensitive goods (e.g., perishables, high-value items). Global network of routes.
- Disadvantages: Very expensive, high environmental impact (significant carbon emissions), susceptible to delays due to weather and air traffic control. Limited cargo capacity compared to rail.
Rail Transport:
- Advantages: Relatively cost-effective for large volumes of goods, lower environmental impact than air transport, reliable (less susceptible to weather delays). Can handle large quantities of cargo.
- Disadvantages: Slower than air transport, limited route networks, requires investment in rail infrastructure. May require transshipment to other modes of transport.
Comparison:
| Feature | Air | Rail |
| Speed | Very Fast | Relatively Slow |
| Cost | Very Expensive | Relatively Inexpensive |
| Reliability | Susceptible to delays | Generally Reliable |
| Environmental Impact | High | Lower |
| Cargo Capacity | Limited | Large |
Preference for High-Value Goods: Air transport is generally preferred for high-value goods (e.g., electronics, pharmaceuticals, luxury items) because of its speed and reliability. The cost is less of a concern than the risk of damage or spoilage due to delays. The speed allows for quicker delivery and reduces the risk of market fluctuations affecting the value of the goods.