Kochi Set To Host International Spice Route Heritage Conference In January 2026
Kochi is set to host India’s first International Spice Route Heritage Conference from January 6 to 8, 2026, positioning the city as a global hub for discussions on maritime history, cultural exchange, and heritage tourism. Organised by the Muziris Heritage Project in collaboration with Kerala Tourism, the three-day event will convene international delegates, scholars, policymakers, and cultural practitioners to explore the historical significance of the Spice Route and its potential to drive sustainable, immersive tourism experiences.
The conference highlights centuries-old maritime connections linking the Kerala coast to the Mediterranean, Africa, and Asia, where ports like Muziris once thrived as commercial and cultural hubs. Long before modern trade networks, these routes facilitated the exchange of goods, technology, art, and faith, shaping societies across continents. Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas described the event as a “new phase in Kerala’s heritage tourism journey,” emphasising the USD 600-billion global market for heritage-focused travel and Kerala’s authentic storytelling potential.Held at the historic Bolgatty Palace in Ernakulam, the conference will host 38 international delegates from 22 countries, alongside national participants from academia, archaeology, diplomacy, policy, tourism, and the arts. Sessions will explore the Spice Route as a vast cultural ecosystem, covering diaspora and migration, intellectual and scientific exchanges, colonial legacies, and maritime technologies that influenced trade and societal development.
Beyond scholarly sessions, delegates will experience Kerala’s living heritage through curated trails of Muziris sites, traditional sea voyages echoing ancient trade routes, visits to the Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2025–26, and performances such as Kerala Jewish songs and Chavittu Nadakam, the region’s Latin-Christian classical dance-drama. These immersive experiences aim to combine intellectual discourse with sensory engagement, highlighting Kerala as a destination that blends history, culture, and contemporary creativity.
The conference also seeks to strengthen international heritage tourism networks while positioning Kerala as a global destination for high-value, culturally immersive travel. Officials anticipate that the event will foster academic collaborations, promote sustainable tourism, and enhance Kochi’s reputation as a living crossroad of maritime civilisation, offering visitors an authentic, historically grounded experience while supporting local communities and cultural practitioners.
