THRISSUR: On the basis of an MoU signed by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Kerala Tourism, a mega tourism project ‘Spice Routes’ linking Muziris to 31 countries in Middle East, North Africa and Europe, with shared maritime history is in the pipeline.
Tourism director TV Anupama told DC that in the second phase of Muziris Heritage Project, the focal point would be a Maritime Museum spread over 50 acres in Paravur, which would showcase the history of spice trade through Muziris port to these countries and the maritime routes and activities in the past.
UNESCO has embarked on setting up a global tourism project based on such a concept of ancient spice trade and has sought a response from these countries and hopefully in two months from now, the tourism department would get a clear picture on this, she said.
At present, two boat circuits are available in Periyar for tourists to visit different monuments and museums of Muziris on either side of the river in Kodugallur and Paravur.
As the ancient port of Muziris was destroyed in the 14 century, new sites of the heritage project could be found through excavations or by research and if so, the heritage project would expand further, she said.
