From January 6–8, Kochi will host the first international Spice Route Conference

In addition to national attendees, 38 international delegates from 22 countries will be having fascinating discussions at the event. Additionally, the event will look into new ways to improve cultural and heritage tourism connections between a number of nations on several continents that are part of the renowned Space Route. 

From January 6 to 8, 2026, Kochi will host the first international Spice Route Conference, which will bring fresh attention to the commercial and cultural ties that have shaped history over centuries between the Kerala coast and a vast region that stretches up to the Mediterranean. 

The Muziris history Project and the Kerala Tourism Department are organising the event, which is slated to be a historic worldwide gathering honouring the world’s common maritime and cultural history and its ongoing significance in the global narrative.

Additionally, the event will look into new ways to improve cultural and heritage tourism connections between a number of nations on several continents that are part of the renowned Space Route. The historic Bolgatty Palace in Ernakulam, a location inextricably tied to centuries of marine trade and cross-cultural interactions, will host the three-day event. The conference is the first of its type in India and is intended to serve as a venue for intellectual and cultural exchange that re-establishes the ancient Spice Route in the context of current international discussions. 

“The International Spice Route Conference marks a new phase in Kerala’s heritage tourism journey,” stated Tourism Minister Mohamed Riyas, outlining the initiative’s objective. The Minister stated, “The Spice Route offers Kerala a powerful and authentic story within this space, and heritage tourism represents a USD 600-billion global market.”

“We are positioning Kerala as a compelling destination for discerning, heritage-focused travellers from around the world by reimagining these historic connections, offering immersive experiences rooted in history, culture, and living traditions,” Riyas continued.

In addition to national attendees, 38 international delegates from 22 countries will be having fascinating discussions at the event. Academicians, historians, archaeologists, diplomats, policymakers, tourist stakeholders, artists, cultural practitioners, and performers will be among the attendees, forming an impressive cross-section.

The presenters will examine the Spice Routes as a broad, interconnected cultural ecology that influenced nations on several continents rather than as a singular commercial route. The conference will explore the human stories woven within maritime history, going beyond the economy. 

“Maritime Technologies & Logistics: The historical movement of goods, ideas, and innovations across sea routes,” “Colonial Encounters & Enduring Legacies: Understanding the long-term cultural and political impacts of maritime colonialism,” “Knowledge, Faith & Philosophy: the spread of science, medicine, belief systems, and intellectual traditions across oceans,” and “Cultural Exchange & Diaspora: migration, linguistic fusion, and shared identities shaped by maritime movement” are some of the key sessions.

The event will provide attendees with a fully immersive cultural journey into Kerala’s living heritage in addition to the thematic seminars. These include “The Muziris Experience,” which consists of carefully planned heritage trails through important Muziris locations along with a traditional sea voyage that echoes ancient maritime routes; “Contemporary Art Engagement,” which is a special visit to the Kochi-Muziris Biennale in 2025–2026; and “Performing Traditions,” which features performances of Chavittu Nadakam, Kerala’s distinctive Latin-Christian classical dance-drama. Together, this will transform the occasion from an academic discussion into a tactile and immersive historical experience.