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Kerala Tourism signed an MoU with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to begin a historic cooperation between the State and the world’s foremost cultural organization for promoting and protecting the ancient Spice Route heritage.
Mr. Suman Billa, Secretary, Kerala Tourism and UNESCO Director and Representative to India, Mr. Shigeru Aoyagi signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Mr A. P. Anilkumar, Minister for Tourism. The MoU seeks to formalize a framework of cooperation in the areas of cultural heritage protection and promotion in the State.
“This is a historic occasion for Kerala. The Spice Route project is a new milestone in the growth of tourism in Kerala. The partnership between our State and UNESCO is a major step towards reviving and remembering an ancient heritage in which Kerala was the undisputed leader on the global stage. It is a revival of the ancient spice route that connected 31 countries,” said Mr. A. P. Anilkumar, Minister for Tourism, Kerala.
As per the agreement, the Spice Route initiative of the State government will form the bedrock of the cooperation and partnership between the signatories along with protection and promotion of historical sites in Kerala. Both Kerala Tourism and UNESCO will also mobilize bilateral and multilateral collaboration with the other countries involved in the ancient spice trade.
“A major landmark for UNESCO and we are very happy to work with the Government of Kerala, particularly on this project, that seeks to preserve the cultural heritage of India. Apart from contributing to the sustainable development of the countries involved, UNESCO aims to put the Muziris Heritage Project and the Spice Route Project on the World Heritage list,” said Mr. Shigeru Aoyagi after signing the MoU.
Several historical sites in Kerala linked to the ancient Spice Route, including urban areas will be developed as per the agreement to promote the aim of heritage building.
“The Muziris Heritage Project is without doubt one of the biggest tourism-linked conservation projects ever undertaken in the world, with significant financial support from the Govt. of India and the Govt. of Kerala,” said Mr. Suman Billa, Secretary, Kerala Tourism, who is currently steering the State tourism department’s efforts to engage other countries on the Spice Route and UNESCO. “We are working with UNESCO to organize a culinary festival in which chefs from all the 31 countries linked to the Spice Route will reinvent the different culinary traditions of their countries,” said Mr. Suman Billa.
By inviting today’s global travellers to tread the path once travelled by ancient day traders and explorers, the Spice Route Initiative of Kerala throws open an unprecedented collaboration between a large number of countries from different continents, added
Mr. Suman Billa.
Another highlight of the agreement is the promotion of academic exchange, intercultural dialogue and joint heritage conservation projects on a shared heritage development initiative among the 32 countries of Asia, Far East, Africa and Europe that are part of the Spice Route.
With the help of UNESCO, Kerala Tourism has already taken the first step in the last one year, towards realizing the project by initiating talks with the ambassadors of all Spice Route countries accredited with UNESCO in Paris.
“The initiative is also aimed at retracing the ancient trade route and rekindling the cultural exchange that occurred between the nations while connecting countries and their histories. Kerala would be a big gainer as more and more people from other Spice Route-linked countries will travel to the State to trace the origin of the ancient trade route,” said Mr. P. I. Sheik Pareeth, Director, Kerala Tourism.
Several countries, particularly European nations like Portugal, the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany have shown great interest in the initiative. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has also lauded the conservation projects related to Spice Route in Kerala.
