Belgian-Italian real estate company Europ Invest has launched plans for a luxury cruise ship, complete with a 4,000 m[sup]2[/sup] outlet shopping 'village'. The ship will offer cruises from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea or the Nordic Sea, plus the possibility of shopping in the 100 retail units on the luxury boat. The first ship is set for completion in 2010.
Belgian-Italian real estate company Europ Invest has launched plans for a luxury cruise ship, complete with a 4,000 m2 outlet shopping 'village'. The ship will offer cruises from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea or the Nordic Sea, plus the possibility of shopping in the 100 retail units on the luxury boat. The first ship is set for completion in 2010.
The Luxury Outlet Ship is the brainchild of the company's chairman Ubaldo de Vincentis. 'During a trip to Greece I realised that some places, like the Greek islands, have plenty of tourists, but no quality shopping destinations,' he said. The ship, due for launch in December 2008, will house up to 5,000 visitors at a time. Its first cruise is planned for 2010.
Founded in 1980, Europ Invest is active in the development and investment of shopping centres and retail parks. The group has a head office in Maasmechelen, Belgium, and offices in the Italian cities of Firenze, Brescia and Pescara. It is also active in Greece and Croatia.
Europ Invest has four retail outlet projects in Italy: Pescara, Florence, Milan and Valdichiana. The 30,000 m2 Pescara scheme is to open in the autumn next year.