ABSTRACT
This chapter is concerned with addressing the importance of food delivery applications in the tourism and hospitality industry at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspectives of consumers in Portugal. In this context, it is essential to understand that constant evolution and digital innovation in tourism and hospitality have contributed to increasing curiosity about new and different ways of acquiring products and services. In this way, this study aims to analyse new forms of consumption with the support of food delivery applications, as well as how the digital application can satisfy the needs of the consumers at a ‘click’ distance in a safe, fast and effective way. To achieve the objective of the study, mixed methods were used with both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Empirical data gathered through the survey questionnaire related to restaurant business consumers and the reasons for their use of digital tools during the pandemic and how this can capture the attention of consumers as a potential strategy to recover the industry and support crisis management. Finally, and according to the results, digital applications have experienced exponential growth in Portugal during the pandemic as a practical tool with a wide variety of products and services to which the consumer has access.
