A SIGNIFICANT MANAGERIAL CHALLENGE OF ONLINE MARKETING IN GASTRONOMIC SECTOR DURING THE COVID- 19 PANDEMIC

The popularity of online marketing has increased mainly due to several restrictions that affected businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in popularity is also associated with the possibility of addressing multiple target groups of consumers, a key source of income for businesses during the pandemic, thanks to which they survived. Despite the increased popularity and use of online marketing, it can still offer new and innovative solutions, so its potential is far from exhausted. The main aim of the paper is to determine the perception of online marketing in restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic by Slovak consumers. The secondary data sources were scientific research, annual reports of companies, statistical databases and professional publications. A questionnaire survey was conducted to find out the perception of online marketing during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of Slovak consumers. General scientific methods were used for data processing, and mathematical and statistical methods in evaluating data from the survey. To achieve the paper's main goal, research hypotheses were formulated and subsequently verified based on the theoretical background and survey results. Based on the findings of the research, it is obvious that most Slovak consumers perceived the increased use of online marketing communication in restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic positively, and they increased the intensity of online shopping in restaurants. Finally, managerial implications of online marketing are indicated based on the analysis and questionnaire survey results.