Incidencia de la “nueva realidad” generada por el Covid-19 en el comportamiento del consumidor en las industrias del turismo y gastronómica : Incidencia de la “nueva normalidad” generada por el Covid-19 en las prácticas de innovación implementadas y el comportamiento del consumidor desde la perspectiva de los miembros del sector gastronómico de Mindo.

Abstract

Once the restrictions imposed as a result of the global covid -19 pandemic were lifted, a new period known as the "New Normality" began, carrying with it the aftermath left by the pandemic on our society. The present study aims to determine the impact of the "New Normality" on the implemented innovation practices and consumer behavior from the perspective of stakeholders within the gastronomic sector of Mindo. To this end, data collection tools are developed based on consumer behavior models and business innovation, consisting of multiple-choice questions and open-ended questions to gain a more detailed understanding of the parish's situation. The results are analyzed to ascertain the impact of the "New Normality" on both consumer behavior and implemented innovations as responses to the situation. It is observed that the impact on consumer behavior is minimal, with an increase in preferences for social media and the internet in various aspects of the consumer selection process. The challenges and opportunities identified by the respondents are also evident, primarily related to adaptation, competition, and the decline in tourism and income. It is identified that the "New Normality" did indeed have an impact on the implementation of product, process, organizational, and commercial innovations, serving as a primary motivation for effecting these changes. The positive outcomes resulting from these innovations for the gastronomic sector are evident, and respondents express a long-term interest in maintaining them. Finally, it is recommended to bolster aspects that are perceived as most important to consumers and those that have been best received by them.