The Ministry of Tourism issued the following statement:
In response to reports circulating about a wedding held inside Jeita Grotto, the Ministry of Tourism would like to clarify the following:
1- Management of Jeita Grotto
Following several months of forced closure, the Ministry signed a temporary agreement with the Municipality of Jeita, granting it the authority to manage, operate, and maintain the site. This step was taken due to the symbolic and national importance of the Grotto, and was based on legal assessments and the requirements of the Public Procurement Law. The agreement is meant to remain in place only until a transparent public tender is finalized to select an operator for a longer-term concession, in line with international standards.
2- Request for the Event
The Mayor of Jeita, Walid Baroud, had informally discussed with Tourism Minister Laura El-Khazen Lahoud the idea of holding an event inside the Grotto, without providing full details about the nature or purpose of the celebration. The Minister made it clear at the time that any such activity requires a formal written request from the Municipality, so that the Ministry can evaluate the proposal according to safety, administrative, financial, cultural, and contractual criteria—including consultation with the Lebanese Spéléo Club, as stipulated in the agreement.
3- Violation of Procedure
Despite this, the Municipality proceeded to host the event without submitting the required written request, without providing details of financial arrangements, and without any evidence of consultation with the Lebanese Spéléo Club, as required by contract.
4- Ministry Measures
The Ministry will issue a formal notice to the Municipality of Jeita outlining these violations and requiring full adherence to its contractual obligations, as well as to Cabinet Circular No. 36/2025, which obliges public institutions and municipalities to obtain proper authorizations before using public, natural, or national heritage sites for events.
5- Acknowledgment and Reminder
The Ministry recognizes the efforts made by the Municipality to reopen and operate the Grotto since mid-July, during which it has generated significant revenue. However, prior written approval from the Ministry remains an essential condition for any promotional or commercial event at the site.
6- Commitment to Preservation
The Ministry reaffirms its responsibility to oversee the management of Jeita Grotto and prevent any harm to this national landmark. It also remains committed to completing the public tender process before the end of the year, which will allow the site to be operated and maintained under a long-term framework once the temporary management phase concludes.
In response to reports circulating about a wedding held inside Jeita Grotto, the Ministry of Tourism would like to clarify the following:
1- Management of Jeita Grotto
Following several months of forced closure, the Ministry signed a temporary agreement with the Municipality of Jeita, granting it the authority to manage, operate, and maintain the site. This step was taken due to the symbolic and national importance of the Grotto, and was based on legal assessments and the requirements of the Public Procurement Law. The agreement is meant to remain in place only until a transparent public tender is finalized to select an operator for a longer-term concession, in line with international standards.
2- Request for the Event
The Mayor of Jeita, Walid Baroud, had informally discussed with Tourism Minister Laura El-Khazen Lahoud the idea of holding an event inside the Grotto, without providing full details about the nature or purpose of the celebration. The Minister made it clear at the time that any such activity requires a formal written request from the Municipality, so that the Ministry can evaluate the proposal according to safety, administrative, financial, cultural, and contractual criteria—including consultation with the Lebanese Spéléo Club, as stipulated in the agreement.
3- Violation of Procedure
Despite this, the Municipality proceeded to host the event without submitting the required written request, without providing details of financial arrangements, and without any evidence of consultation with the Lebanese Spéléo Club, as required by contract.
4- Ministry Measures
The Ministry will issue a formal notice to the Municipality of Jeita outlining these violations and requiring full adherence to its contractual obligations, as well as to Cabinet Circular No. 36/2025, which obliges public institutions and municipalities to obtain proper authorizations before using public, natural, or national heritage sites for events.
5- Acknowledgment and Reminder
The Ministry recognizes the efforts made by the Municipality to reopen and operate the Grotto since mid-July, during which it has generated significant revenue. However, prior written approval from the Ministry remains an essential condition for any promotional or commercial event at the site.
6- Commitment to Preservation
The Ministry reaffirms its responsibility to oversee the management of Jeita Grotto and prevent any harm to this national landmark. It also remains committed to completing the public tender process before the end of the year, which will allow the site to be operated and maintained under a long-term framework once the temporary management phase concludes.
