On January 12th, during the opening/trade day of the Tourism Fair of Utrecht (VAKANTIEBEURS), in the Jaarbeurs Utrecht, the Embassy of Brazil is organizing for the 5th consecutive year the Brazil Awards ceremony, when we will prize the best Dutch promoters of Brazil as a tourist destination.  

Here are the background information of the Brazil Awards initiative and the nominations for the 2009 awards:

BEST TOUR OPERATOR       

Granted to the Dutch tour operator that either sold most packages to Brazil or most actively promoted Brazilian destinations in the Netherlands.

The previous winners were:

- FOX VAKANTIES (2005), represented by Maarten de Ruiter, director
- BRAZIL TOURS (2006), represented by Marius van Rij, owner and director
- KUONI REIZEN (2007), represented by Esther Hienekamp, product manager
- FLY BRAZIL (2008), represented by Ad van der Molen, owner and director

2009 NOMINATIONS (alphabetical order):

- KRAS Vakanties
- Kuoni Reizen
- Olaf Reizen
- Risksja Online Zuid Amerika
- Travel Trend
- TUI Nederlands NV

BEST PRESS/MEDIA

Granted to the best journalistic coverage or TV program on Brazil.

The previous recipients were:

- RTL TRAVEL (2005), represented by Floortje Dessing, TV presenter
- REIZEN MAGAZINE (2006), represented by Sander Groen, free-lance
  journalist/photographer
- BIJ MAGAZINE (2007), represented by Wim Achterberg, De Bijenkorf
- COLUMBUS MAGAZINE (2008), represented by Mark Mackintosh,  deputy editor-
  in-chief 

2009 NOMINATIONS (alphabetical order):

- Algemeen Dagblad – “In Brazilië is het altijd wel ergens carnaval”
- ANWB Kampioen – “Brazilië op z’n best: van Pipa tot Natal"
- De Telegraaf – “Levenslustig Brazilië”
- Green.2 – “Noordoost Brazilië: sexy en ongeschond”
- LIV’ Magazine - “Let’s get lost – Uxua Casa Hotel Trancoso”
- Metro – “Trekpleister: São Paulo mag je niet missen”
- Metro - "Wijn, barbecue en apfelstrudel"
- Reformatorisch Dagblad - “De herontdekking van Provetá”
- Reformatorisch Dagblad – “Europees buitenbeentje in Brazilië”
- Sp!ts – “Carnaval , Capoeira en caipirinha”
- The Beagle Voyage (VPRO) – episode filmed at Fernando de Noronha
   Archipelago"
- Vakantiekrant - "Bruisend Brazilië"

BEST INNOVATIVE CONCEPT

Granted to the Dutch initiative which implemented a ground-breaking formula to promote Brazil in the Netherlands.

The previous recipients were:

- BRAZIL OPTIMA FORMA (2005), represented by Jan-Willem van der Horn, owner
  and director
- HANS BOMMER (2006), represented by Hans Bommer, director of
  Peter Langhout Reizen
- GREAT BRAZIL EXPRESS (2007), represented by JaSing Chu, JBC Agencies
- DOMENICUS’ RIO DE JANEIRO CITY GUIDE (2008), represented by Marcel
  Bayer, writer

2009 NOMINATIONS (alphabetical order):

- Amazon is Your Business (supporting the sustainability of Amazon products –
  inclusive tourism services)
- DTMG (tailor made travel promotion packages)
- Olaf Reizen (different approach on Amazon specialized products)
- Talisman Travel Design (Print on Demand [POD] – tailor-made brochures)
- The Beagle Voyage (VPRO) – episodes Fernando de Noronha, Salvador and
   Rio de Janeiro

BEST ENTREPRENEUR   

Granted to the Dutch company which made a significant investment on tourism in or towards Brazil.

The previous recipients were:

- FLY BRAZIL (2005), represented by Ron Sampimon from DNJ Media
- TUI NEDERLAND (2006), represented by Steven van der Heijden, CEO
- TIWA AMAZONE ECORESORT (2007), represented by Peter-Jan
   Tilanus, manager
- AMAZONAT JUNGLE & RIVER LODGE (2008), represented by Dolf Huigers,
   share-holder

2009 NOMINATIONS (alphabetical order):

- 0031 Pousada e Restaurante (hotel in Cumbuco – State of Ceará)
- Amsterdam Arena (participation on projects of new stadiums in Brazil)
- Brazilian Beach (holiday homes and hotel projects in Canoa Quebrada – State
   of Ceará)
- Windtown Beach Resort & Spa (hotel in Cumbuco – State of Ceará)