Final answer:
Business travel is declining in recent years due to the shift to service industries, increased competition from foreign producers, and reduced desire for unions because of workplace protection laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The decline in business travel in recent years can be attributed to several factors:
- The shift from manufacturing to service industries: As more workers transition from active work in industries like manufacturing and agriculture to service industries, the need for business travel decreases. Service industries often rely on communication and technology rather than physical travel.
- The force of globalization and increased competition from foreign producers: With the rise of globalization, businesses can now connect and collaborate with partners and clients from around the world without the need for extensive travel. This reduces the demand for business travel.
- A reduced desire for unions because of the workplace protection laws now in place: In the past, unions played a significant role in negotiating employee rights and benefits. However, with workplace protection laws in place, the need for unions has decreased, leading to fewer business trips for negotiation purposes.