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Kochi gears up for international spice routes heritage meet on Jan 6
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Monday, 05 January, 2026, 15 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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Kochi is preparing to host the international spice routes heritage meet beginning January 6, 2026, a landmark three-day conference that aims to revive and celebrate the ancient maritime and cultural networks once known as the spice routes. Organised by the Muziris Heritage Project in collaboration with the Kerala tourism department, the event will take place at the historic Bolgatty Palace in Ernakulam, a site deeply linked to Kerala’s centuries-old sea trade traditions that connected Asia, Africa and Europe.
The conference will mark the unveiling of the spice routes heritage network and charter, setting the tone for discussions and collaboration among delegates from across the world. It is being described as the first event of its kind in India, designed to serve as both an intellectual and cultural platform that reconnects ancient trade corridors with modern global discourse.
With heritage tourism emerging as a significant global market opportunity, Kerala aims to leverage its authentic history to attract high-value experiential travellers and strengthen international cultural ties. Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas highlighted the event’s potential to position the state as a vibrant destination offering immersive experiences rooted in history, culture and shared heritage.
The programme will feature a mix of keynote speeches, technical sessions and thematic discussions on topics such as sustainable heritage tourism, transnational heritage corridors and the contemporary relevance of Spice Routes in tourism and cultural exchange. Panels will attract a diverse audience including historians, archaeologists, diplomats, cultural practitioners and policymakers from around the world.
Alongside these academic sessions, delegates and visitors can enjoy curated cultural experiences — from heritage trails and traditional sea voyages reminiscent of ancient maritime travel to artistic engagements like the Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2025–26 and performances of local traditions such as Kerala Jewish songs and Chavittu Nadakam.
Overall, the international spice routes heritage meet seeks to celebrate the shared legacies of global maritime trade while forging new pathways for cultural tourism collaboration and knowledge exchange in the 21st century.
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