{
  "id": 1674776,
  "title": "Governor of Earthquake-hit Department Asks Tourists Not to Cancel Whale Watching",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/governor-of-earthquake-hit-department-asks-tourists-not-to-cancel",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T08:55:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Colombia One",
    "slug": "colombia-one",
    "url": "https://colombiaone.com/2026/08/18/governor-choco-asks-tourists-not-to-cancel-whale-watching/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The governor of Choco, Colombia, Nubia Carolina Cordoba, has urged tourists planning a visit to her department to continue with their whale watching plans despite the recent earthquake. This request comes as the humpback whale watching season begins in the Pacific Ocean, a natural spectacle that attracts thousands of visitors from around the globe. The whales migrate to warmer waters from Antarctica, engaging in various activities like mating, giving birth, and playing, providing a unique spectacle for those who observe them.\n\nWhale watching is a significant economic activity in Choco, accounting for 60% of the region's economy. This year, 30,000 tourists are expected to witness the spectacle, primarily in the municipalities of Bahia Solano and Nuqui. However, the earthquake has raised concerns that many tourists may cancel their plans, which could negatively impact local communities heavily dependent on tourism. Cordoba encouraged those with reservations during the whale season to keep them, emphasizing that areas like Nuqui and Bahia Solano were not affected by the earthquake like others in Choco.\n\nThe governor highlighted that the earthquake's impact is more severe in areas like San Jose del Palmar, Istmina, Sipi, Litoral de San Juan, and Quibdo, the departmental capital. She reassured that hotel infrastructure and airports are operating normally in these less affected regions. Choco's allure extends beyond whale watching, offering a variety of eco-tourism activities such as bird-watching, hot springs bathing, and cultural experiences involving Afro and Indigenous communities, mangroves, and local beverages. By continuing their tours, tourists not only witness these natural marvels but also contribute to the economic resilience of Choco, a region significantly impacted by the recent natural disaster.",
  "summary": "The earthquake that shook Colombia last Monday also shook tourism. In the case of the department of Choco, the epicenter of the earthquake, the tragedy comes just as the humpback whale or yubarta whale watching season is beginning in the Pacific Ocean, a natural spectacle that attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}