Impacts of Sustainable Cultural Tourism in Fort Kochi, Kerala

Jose Bejoy; R Kannan

Jose Bejoy (Ph.D Research Scholar in Tourism Management) Centre for Tourism & Hotel Management, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai
R Kannan (Research Supervisor), Associate Professor and Director i/cCentre for Tourism & Hotel Management, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai

Keywords: Fort Kochi, Kodungalloor, Malabar coast, Zamorin, Portugese

Abstract

Before the death of Christ, Fort Kochi was covered by mangrove woods, turfs and sand banks. Sand banks were created with the rise in the sea level which formed the shape of the coastal area. Around 600 AD, written documents about the Malabar coast show that this region had Hindus, Christians, Muslims and a Jewish minority. The natural harbour of Kochi was created by a flood that also destroyed the harbour of the town Kodungalloor. Thereafter, Fort Kochi was developed into one of the most important harbours in the west coast of India. It concentrated on the spices trade with the China and the Middle East.