After 15 years of civil war in Lebanon, the whole infrastructure of Jeïta Grotto was damaged. The installation and the cabins of the ropeway, the parking and the administration and restaurant buildings were all destroyed. A great job was required to revitalize the “Touristic site of Jeïta” for rebuilding and maintaining it; that’s why, the Minister of Tourism awarded MAPAS Co. to rehabilitate the site after the damage caused to its infrastructure.
An agreement on BOT basis was signed between Mapas Co. and the Ministry of Tourism to operate the complex by restoring, extending and modernizing it. A lot of work was waiting for Dr.-Eng. Nabil Haddad, General Manager of Mapas Co., after he has been charged with site’s reconstruction in order to prepare the caves for opening to the public.
The main purpose of this project was to show our wonderful cave to visitors and to protect it and to display the beauty of Lebanon to tourists.
Consequently, Mapas Co. undertook an intensive restoration program in touristic, environmental and cultural fields to improve the site condition and to make this site a popular tourist destination as it was before its closure due to war. New ropeway was installed in the site and solid rowboats for lower grotto were brought for more safety of visitors.
Continuous project development was achieved within 1 year and 4 months and millions of dollars in investment, and the wonder of nature was reopened again with a new face to public in 16 July 1995. The development has been done in harmony with nature and the fact that the grotto represents a very sensitive biotope was taken into consideration.
From the total amount of entry tickets, around 40% goes to the Lebanese government and Municipality and Mapas Co. pays all the charges and fees.