Cochin (now known as Kochi) is Kerala's most cosmopolitan city with a bustling commercial port. It is the financial capital of Kerala. Cochin merchants began trading in spices such as black pepper and cardamom with the Jews, Arabs, the Dutch, Phoenicians, Portuguese, Chinese more than 600 years ago.
Cochin has a lot of remnants from the past still clinging on. The famous landmark in Cochin is a row of Chinese fishing nets at the mouth of the harbor leading to the Arabian sea. It is a blend of modern India on one hand and while the old quarter -- the Fort Kochi area and Mattancherry area -- maintains a colonial air. Now Cochin includes Ernakulam city, Willingdon Island, Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, Kumbalangi and outlying islands Cochin is comparatively cleaner and quieter than many other Indian tourist places.
Ernakulam is the commercial capital of Kerala with one of the finest natural harbours in the world. The city lies about 30 kms north off the airport. The downtown city-area is known as Ernakulam and the areas surrounding it, comprising mainly of islands, is collectively known as Kochi (Cochin). From here, ships set sail for foreign ports with pepper, seafood, rubber and coir, from time immemorial. Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Cochin and left their impressions on the town.
The Chinese fishing nets, believed to be erected in 1350 AD, swaying in the breeze over the backwaters, the Jewish Synagogue on Jew Street, The Dutch Palace at Bolghatty, Maharaja’s Palace at Tripunithura, the narrow streets of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry, old temples and colonial churches attract tourists from all over.
Access by Air: 
Cochin International Airport is one of the country's youngest Airports with modern facilities and conveniences. Located at Nedumbassery, which is about 30 kms off Kochi (Cochin) city, this is the first airport in India that was constructed with private participation ,outside the ambit of Airport Authority of India. Government of Kerala, Non-Resident Indians from over 30 countries, Traveling Public, Financial Institutions, Airport service providers and others are the major stake holders.
Currently, more than 70 flights operate in and out of this Airport daily connecting all major cities across India and International destinations like Dubai, Sharjah, Chicago, Colombo, Singapore and more.