Visit.brussels Awards 2020: Nine Brussels Initiatives Are Recognised

This Tuesday 15 December, nine Brussels cultural and tourist initiatives that left their mark on 2019 will be recognised at the visit.brussels Awards. The winners of this year's edition were chosen by the general public and by a jury of professionals from the cultural tourism sectors.

Countless Brussels stakeholders contribute to the world renown of the European capital through their daily work and original initiatives. The purpose of the visit.brussels awards is to encourage and reward the projects that have contributed most to the promotion of Brussels. At the beginning of the year, the public selected three finalists per category from among 57 projects. The jury - made up of professionals from the tourism sector - then elected the winners on the basis of the following criteria: their impact on tourism in Brussels, the international promotion of the capital, originality, sustainability and accessibility for persons with reduced mobility.

The winners are usually announced at a large ceremony followed by an evening event gathering professionals from the tourism and cultural sectors. This year, in order to comply with the health measures in force, the winners of the visit.brussels Awards 2020 will be revealed online on Friday 11 December.

The nine winners of the visit.brussels Awards 2020 are:

Evening Experience 2019

A concept that contributes to the richness of Brussels’ nightlife.

Winner: Nuits Sonores & European Lab

Nuits sonores & European Lab Brussels is an annual urban and innovative festival coproduced by BOZAR and non-profit Arty Farty Brussels. The event focuses on electronic and independent music, and offers a space to discuss the great changes of our time and imagine the culture of tomorrow.

Most Noted Exhibition 2019

A major exhibition that has contributed to the promotion of culture and tourism in Brussels.

Winner: The World of Bruegel in Black and White

The KBR's "The World of Bruegel in Black and White" exhibition was an opportunity to admire Bruegel's prints up close. The KBR was at the forefront of the rediscovery of Bruegel's lesser-known masterpieces. Its complete collection of prints was exhibited throughout the Bruegel celebration year.

International Event 2019

A major event or trade fair with an international scope, organised for the general public in Brussels.

Winner: Brussels Grand Depart 2019

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Eddy Merckx's first Tour de France victory, the City of Brussels entrusted Brussels Major Events with the general coordination of the Grand Depart of the Tour de France. It was 61 years after the previous Grand Depart in Brussels and 9 years after the Tour's last visit to the capital.

International Congress & Fair 2019

A congress or major event with an international scope, organised in Brussels for professionals.

Winner: The European Week of Regions and Cities #EURegionsWeek

The European Week of Regions and Cities is an annual 4-day event during which cities and regions demonstrate their potential in several areas: growth, jobs and the implementation of the European Union's Cohesion Policy. They also demonstrate the importance of the local and regional level in good European governance.

Best Gastronomic Concept 2019

An activity, event or gastronomic concept that enriches Brussels' tourist offer.

Winner: Le Wolf Wolf, the brand-new food market in the centre of Brussels, moved into the former CGER ticket office. It's home to 16 restaurants, a juice bar, a chocolate maker (produced on site), a dessert bar, two bars, a micro-brewery and an organic market. It offers a comprehensive gastronomic experience for all audiences and all ages.

New Event & Touristic Location 2019

Opening or renovation of a venue of vital importance for Brussels' reputation in the tourism and events sectors.

Winner: Recyclart 2.0

Recyclart is at the crossroads of artistic programming and the social economy. After it moved out of its former home at Brussels' Chapelle-Kapellekerk station in 2018, the Brussels-Capital Region offered to host Recyclart in a former printing works on the banks of the canal in Molenbeek. In 2019, the organisation built, in record time, a party room and an industrial-style bar, as well as a vegetarian restaurant and its own offices.

Hotel Newcomer 2019

A new concept, innovation or renovation from Brussels' hotel sector.

Winner: Hotel Indigo Brussels City

The Hotel Indigo Brussels - City opened its doors in November 2019. The hotel's lush green facade provides a stunning contrast with the glass and steel office buildings that tower above the bustling place Rogier.

Public Initiative 2019

An initiative by a public sector stakeholder or similar (public sector companies, one of the 19 communes, regional agencies, etc.) that has contributed to the promotion of the capital.

Winner: See U

Located in the heart of Ixelles, See U, an initiative led by SAU-msi.brussels, is today Belgium's largest temporary occupation dealing with social and sustainable innovation, learning and experimentation. See U brings together, over 25,000m2, a community of more than 100 project leaders who animate the site on a daily basis. Projects from the worlds of associations, business, culture, academia and education have found a home there.

NEW: Sustainable Initiative 2019

Rewards a project/concept that enhances the attractiveness of Brussels in terms of sustainable tourism. This new category highlights initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to socially, economically and environmentally responsible practices.

Winner: Un Autre Bruxelles, Bruxelles des Autres

Production of an alternative tourism guidebook for Brussels neighbourhoods in collaboration with 20 Brussels social cohesion associations, active in the field of French language learning, both in literacy and FLE (French as a Foreign Language). The aim of this guide is to contribute to the promotion of Brussels as an international city, while at the same time, promoting Brussels' neighbourhoods, their unique characteristics and their charm.