Possibilities for cultural tourism in Geoparque Seridó: an analysis of the natural and cultural attractions (RN, Brazil)

Abstract

The research aims to identify possibilities for the development of Cultural Tourism based on the systematization of the natural and cultural attractions of the municipalities that make up the Seridó Geopark, located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The specific objectives are: to map information about the cultural attractions and municipalities of Seridó Potiguar and to analyze the cultural and natural attractions of the municipalities that make up the Seridó Geopark. Methodologically, we resorted to reading, systematizing and analyzing the tourist inventories of the 6 municipalities that make up the Seridó Geopark: Acari, Carnaúba dos Dantas, Cerro Corá, Currais Novos, Lagoa Nova and Parelhas, published throughout 2023. The theoretical framework mobilized is part of discussions about cultural heritage and its appropriation by Tourism, with concepts from Anthropology and History and some approaches to Geology. The results made it possible to identify a significant diversity of natural and cultural attractions that can be mobilized to create specialized tourist itineraries, especially aimed at Cultural Tourism, focused on geosites, archaeological sites, religious and gastronomic spaces.