Crises, Tourism and the Dynamics of Lodging Facilities in Natal/RN: Spatial Concentration

Crisis, Turismo y la Dinámica de los Hoteles en Natal/RN: Concentración Espacial

Abstract

Over the last decades, financial and sanitary crises have affected global tourism. In addition to such general crises, Brazil went through an institutional crisis that had repercussions on tourism, since it led to a decrease in the population's consumption power. The tourism destination Natal/RN was heavily affected by these crises; therefore, the objective of the present study is to discuss how recent crises have impacted the tourism of the municipality through the analysis of the evolution and spatial dynamics of the hotels. The methodological procedures include bibliographic and documental research and interviews. The dynamics of lodging facilities in Natal was discussed, associated with tourist flows, job creation and periodic crises. The results demonstrate that the crises restructured the accommodation sector in Natal and there is a trend of spatial concentration towards the South Zone and the Ponta Negra neighborhood.

Keywords:
Crises; Tourism; Hotels; Urban Restructuring; Natal/RN