Kerala is set to host the first International Spice Route Conference in Kochi from January 6 to 8, 2026, bringing renewed global attention to the historic commercial and cultural connections between the Kerala coast and regions extending across the Middle East, Africa, and the Mediterranean. The ancient Spice Route played a pivotal role in shaping global history through maritime trade and cultural exchange over centuries.
Organised by the Muziris Heritage Project in collaboration with the Kerala Tourism Department, the conference is envisioned as a landmark international gathering celebrating the world’s shared maritime and cultural heritage, while also exploring its relevance in contemporary global discourse.
The event aims to open new pathways for strengthening cultural and heritage tourism ties among countries that once formed part of the famed Spice Route. Long before modern trade networks and political borders emerged, ports along the Malabar Coast, particularly the legendary port of Muziris, served as vibrant hubs connecting Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
Driven by monsoon winds, the Spice Route functioned not only as a commercial maritime corridor but also as a powerful conduit for the movement of ideas, faiths, art forms, technologies, and belief systems—creating enduring people-to-people connections across continents.
The three-day conference will be held at the historic Bolgatty Palace in Ernakulam, a venue deeply linked to centuries of maritime trade and cross-cultural encounters. The initiative, the first of its kind in India, is designed as an intellectual and cultural platform reconnecting the ancient Spice Route with modern global narratives.
Highlighting the vision behind the initiative, Tourism Minister Shri Mohamed Riyas said the International Spice Route Conference marks a new phase in Kerala’s heritage tourism journey. He noted that heritage tourism today represents a global market of nearly USD 600 billion, and the Spice Route offers Kerala a powerful and authentic story within this space. By reimagining historic connections, the state aims to position itself as a compelling destination for heritage-focused travellers seeking immersive experiences rooted in history, culture, and living traditions.
The conference seeks to revive the spirit of global exchange, presenting Kerala not merely as a destination, but as a living crossroads of world heritage and maritime civilisation.
The event will bring together 38 international delegates from 22 countries, along with national participants. Attendees will include academicians, historians, archaeologists, diplomats, policymakers, tourism stakeholders, artists, and cultural practitioners.
Conference sessions will explore the Spice Routes as a vast, interconnected cultural ecosystem rather than a single trade corridor. Key discussions will focus on themes such as cultural exchange and diaspora, the spread of knowledge, faith, and philosophy, colonial encounters and their enduring legacies, and the evolution of maritime technologies and logistics.
Beyond academic deliberations, the conference will offer an immersive cultural experience, including curated heritage trails under ‘The Muziris Experience’, a traditional sea voyage reflecting ancient maritime routes, a visit to the Kochi–Muziris Biennale 2025–26, and performances showcasing Kerala Jewish music and Chavittu Nadakam, the state’s unique Latin-Christian dance-drama tradition.
The conference also signals Kerala’s intent to tap into the growing global demand for high-value, experiential, and culturally immersive travel. Scholars, heritage professionals, tourism stakeholders, students, and global heritage enthusiasts have been invited to participate, with registrations now open.
