O Tungstênio Hotel como equipamento turístico na cidade de Currais Novos (RN): uma trajetória de 70 anos de conexões socioculturais, econômicas e políticas

Abstract

This paper's overall objective is to discuss the sociocultural, economic, and political connections between the history of the Tungstênio Hotel and the socioeconomic changes that have occurred in Currais Novos. Opened over seven decades ago, the Tungstênio Hotel is a lodging establishment, a symbol of the city's history, and a landmark in its historical evolution. Built during the peak of tungsten mining, the hotel became a space for businesspeople, technicians, politicians, and travelers, directly contributing to local economic growth and the city's consolidation. The study used bibliographic research as a data collection method, with the research method following the three stages outlined by Prodanov and Freitas (2013): decision-making phase (defining the theme and delimiting the research problem); constructive phase (research plan and execution); and writing phase (data analysis and systematic organization of ideas). Thus, the study highlights the historical, economic, sociocultural, and tourist importance of the Tungstênio Hotel for the development of Currais Novos. The hotel also symbolizes the era's modernity and the impetus for urban change. Even after the decline of mining, the Tungstênio Hotel remains a heritage symbol and an important attraction for cultural tourism, especially with its UNESCO Global Geopark recognition.