Kerala is set to launch up to 10 unique Spice Route-based tourism circuits within the next year, connecting ancient ports, heritage sites, and historic spice trade locations across the state. The initiative, led by Muziris Projects Limited, aims to offer travellers a rich cultural and historical experience distinct from existing heritage tours, while reviving Kerala’s intangible heritage linked to the spice trade.
The Spice Route Initiative is a comprehensive effort to develop tourism circuits centred on Kerala’s maritime history. It will link key ports, heritage structures, and cultural sites associated with the historic spice trade, integrating both tangible and intangible heritage. Unlike conventional heritage tourism, this project emphasises the historical and cultural significance of the spice trade, offering visitors a multidimensional experience of Kerala’s past.
A key focus of the project is the preservation of intangible heritage, including traditional knowledge, artisanal skills, and cultural practices. Communities willing to share their expertise will have their knowledge documented in museums and repositories, safeguarding traditions such as architecture, food, arts, and crafts tied to the spice era.
To promote educational tourism, Muziris Projects Limited plans collaborations with Mahatma Gandhi University and other academic institutions. Short-term courses will cover heritage interpretation, sustainability, and museum management, while partnerships with foreign universities connected historically through spice trade will foster knowledge exchange and international cultural ties.
The initiative also includes the creation of two specialised museums in Kozhikode – a traditional knowledge museum and a food museum. The former will archive Kerala’s artisanal and cultural heritage, while the latter will showcase the state’s diverse cuisine linked to its spice history, featuring innovative displays including 3D projections of traditional recipes.
The project will officially kick off with the Spice Route International Conference in January, bringing together experts and stakeholders to discuss Kerala’s maritime history, spice trade relations, and historic travel circuits. The event aims to boost awareness and strengthen Kerala’s position as a global hub for spice trade heritage tourism.