Kochi will host the three-day International Spice Routes Conference from January 6 to 8, 2026, setting the stage for global dialogue on shared maritime and cultural heritage. The event will open with the presentation of the Declaration of the Spice Routes Heritage Network and Charter, highlighting the continued relevance of the ancient Spice Route in today’s global narrative.
Organised by the Muziris Heritage Project in collaboration with the Kerala Tourism Department, the conference will be held at the historic Bolgatty Palace, Ernakulam. The first-of-its-kind event in India aims to reconnect the ancient Spice Routes as an intellectual and cultural platform linking history with contemporary global discourse.
The conference will feature thematic presentations and technical sessions on heritage governance, sustainable tourism, reimagining Spice Routes for tourism, digital heritage, Muziris studies, and regional knowledge traditions. It will bring together 38 international delegates from 22 countries, along with national participants, including historians, archaeologists, policymakers, diplomats, artists, and tourism stakeholders.
Kerala Tourism Minister Mohamed Riyas said the conference seeks to position Kerala as a destination offering immersive experiences rooted in history, heritage, and culture, while tapping into the growing global demand for experiential and high-value cultural travel.
Complementing academic discussions, the event will offer immersive cultural experiences such as curated Muziris heritage trails, traditional sea voyages, contemporary art engagements at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2025–26, photographic exhibitions, film screenings, and performances including Kerala Jewish songs and Chavittu Nadakam.
The International Spice Routes Conference aims to project Kerala not just as a tourism destination, but as a living crossroads of global heritage and maritime civilization.
