{"id":17918,"date":"2026-10-14T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=17918"},"modified":"2026-10-13T16:36:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T21:36:13","slug":"its-like-a-second-pandemic-quake-triggers-tourism-crisis-comparable-to-2020-covid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/travel-transportation-tourism\/its-like-a-second-pandemic-quake-triggers-tourism-crisis-comparable-to-2020-covid\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cIt\u2019s Like a Second Pandemic\u201d: Quake Triggers Tourism Crisis Comparable to 2020 COVID"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The October 9 earthquake has unleashed a severe tourism emergency<\/a> across Los Santos, Cocl\u00e9, and Veraguas provinces, with industry leaders warning that earthquake damage tourism recovery could mirror the economic devastation of the pandemic. Infrastructure failures<\/a>, mass cancellations, and isolated communities are compounding the crisis as officials assess the full scope of destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No fatalities have been reported, but the structural damage<\/a> to hotels, roads, and tourist facilities has effectively halted commercial activity in key coastal destinations<\/a>. The tremor’s timing, during Panama’s high season preparation period, has amplified its economic impact on local businesses dependent on visitor revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ovidio
Ovidio D\u00edaz, a representative of Panama’s Tourism Chamber by CAMTUR.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Earthquake Damage Tourism Sector<\/a> Faces Second Pandemic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ovidio D\u00edaz, a representative of Panama’s Tourism Chamber, characterized the situation as critical, warning that recovery will be prolonged due to both physical destruction and shifting tourist perceptions about regional safety. He drew a direct parallel to the COVID-19 crisis that previously devastated the industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“It’s like a second pandemic” [Translated from Spanish]<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The comparison carries statistical weight. During the 2020 COVID lockdowns, Panama’s tourism sector contracted by roughly 70%, with hotel occupancy rates in affected provinces dropping below 10%. The earthquake now threatens similar declines, with immediate cancellations already erasing projected revenue for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mariato
Mariato Road damaged. Empowered by IA, Expat-Times<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Immediate Cancellations and Infrastructure Collapse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A reality television production filming in Pedas\u00ed abruptly canceled operations, vacating between 103 and 104 occupied hotel rooms. That single decision stripped the local economy of guaranteed daily revenue and exposed the fragility of tourism-dependent communities<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

D\u00edaz confirmed the collapse of one hotel establishment in Penonom\u00e9 and reported damage in areas including Playa Venado. He acknowledged that no consolidated official damage report yet exists, leaving hotel owners and tourism operators uncertain about the total financial exposure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Playa Venao posterremoto. https:\/\/t.co\/8q17Pc28su<\/p>— Foco (@focopanama) October 10, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>\n