Spice Route to Be Presented At Global Meet

Kerala Tourism’s “Spice Route” project, which is named after the renowned Trans-Asian Silk Route through which inter-continental trade was carried out for centuries, will be presented at the 6^th International meeting on Silk Road Tourism at Dunhuang, China, from August 1.

The State’s plans to expand and endorse a multi-national spice-themed route modelled on the Silk Road will be presented by Tourism Secretary Suman Billa at the three day event jointly organized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), Gansu Province of China and others.

The meeting will comprise on how to raise the profile of Silk Road tourism and acquire development that is endurable, responsible and globally competitive. It will also look into how stakeholders can benefit from the Silk Road’s positioning and help rebuild the world’s most significant travel route.

Mr. Billa had already discussed the scheme with the officials during his recent visit to the UNWTO head office in Madrid to present Kumarakom Responsible Tourism model which has already won awards across the world. So, the Kerala Tourism is receiving exceptional honour with the Secretary making a presentation at the seminar. 

He told he Hindu, that the scheme would open up more opportunities in tourism, historical research and spice trade. Besides driving tourists in Kerala, the scheme is expected to benefit spice trade, especially in cardamom, pepper, cloves, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, nutmeg and tamarind across the State.  

A heritage tag for the ‘Spice Route’ is essential as it is an important journey across places connected with State’s ancient trade links with West. The scheme expects linking the State, from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod, through the spice route and will prompt voyages and excursions once it takes off. 

The tourism authorities are trying to link Spice Route with the Muziris Heritage Project, concentrating on the antique port town of Kodungallor and nearby areas in Central Kerala, which were the epicentre of India’s spice trade with West Asia and Europe.

Along with Muzirs, Thrivunanthapuram, Anchuthengu, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kochi, Ponnani, Panthalayani, Parapanangadi, Beypore, Kozhikode, Thalassery, Kannur and Bekal will be covered.

.Out of 70 spices grown globally, 47 are grown in India. India is still considere the “Home of Spices” due to the quality of the spices the country, especially Kerala,produces. Alappuzha and Idukki are the top slots and over 80% of tourists arriving in the two regions stay in spice plantations.