The National Historical and Artistic Heritage and its Appropriation by the Tourism in the State of Sergipe, Brazil (1937 - 1979)

In Brazil, tourism was used by social actors who planned the project of construction of national identity during "New State" [Estado Novo]. During the military dictatorship tourism has been an important ally in the process of national integration. Considered the historical context, tourism planners turn the cities and heritage into tourist attractions. This study aims to demonstrate the uses of heritage in promoting local tourism in Sergipe, until the end of the 1970s. The research took place in the file Noronha Santos to list the selected cultural goods in Brazil between 1937 and 1945, highlighting the historical and artistic heritage in Sergipe. Analyzed the local press and travel guides, magazines, posters and leaflets produced by social actors who were involved with the implementation of tourism in Sergipe it demonstrates the use of heritage as a tourist attraction. It is demonstrated that the selection of the historical and artistic heritage has significantly influenced to include a few cities as tourist attractions in Sergipe.