Robert Johnson May 12th 2006 8:29PM

We are just days from the official release of the film the Da Vinci Code, yet even before it has hit cinemas in Europe the upcoming release has caused concern in Christian circles. Dan Brown?s novel, which has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, tells a story of attempts by the Church to suppress the truth of Christ?s marriage to Mary Magdalene and his fathering of a ?royal? bloodline.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, The Rt Revd Rowan Williams, criticized it in his Easter address: ?Think of the massive international industry around The Da Vinci Code: it is exciting to think of conspiracies and cover-ups when trust in traditional institutions is low. But here is the problem. We are familiar with the world of cover-up stories; we are on safer ground with their cynicism and worldly wisdom. They are less challenging and don?t involve us in confronting difficult realities. And like any kind of cynicism they stop us hearing anything new or surprising.?

Last year Westminster Abbey refused to allow the �40 million Hollywood adaptation of the book, starring Tom Hanks and Sir Ian McKellen, to be filmed there. Instead, the diocese of Winchester opened its doors to the producers. So is the film?s subject matter unsuitable, as Westminster Abbey believes, or it an opportunity for the Christian faith, as the diocese of Winchester believes?

From the travel and tourism industry?s point of view, it is an opportunity to bring increased tourism and travel to the UK. From that point of view it may have been a blessing that Westminster declined, as it is already able to draw large crowds. More tourists can now be expected to travel to Winchester. Large numbers of tourists, especially from the United States, are expected to go on ?spiritual? tours to Europe that will include visits to sites used in the film.

Indeed, the English National tourism agency VisitBritain, the Scottish tourist board VisitScotland and the French tourist office, Maison de la France, have partnered with Sony Pictures and its global partner, Eurostar - the high-speed rail service.

They have even created a dedicated new website, www.visitdavincicode.com, featuring in-depth visitor information about Paris, London, and Edinburgh, ?behind-the-scenes? secrets from different locations, key destinations and related attractions and a downloadable The Da Vinci Code movie map. Unfortunately, vacation rentals are not included in the resources that the site provides links to.

The site also offers holiday packages offering consumers the chance to ?seek the truth? and follow in the footsteps of the film?s characters. But how sincere is this and what should Christians think about it? This author?s point of view is practical: sometimes ?bad? publicity is better than no publicity. Millions of people will see the film and many of them will come to Europe to visit locations used in the film. They will enter genuine holy sites and while there perhaps they will put aside the film?s mixed message and have time to consider the beauty of the sites and think about God.

Whatever your opinion may be, some Roman Catholics have taken a humourous approach and created a fun site for people going on a Da Vinci Code tour. Check out Freebies for The Da Vinci Code Enthusiasts.

Article by Robert Johnson working as Journalist in Residence at HolidayKeys. HolidayKeys is a great place to book and pay safely for your vacation rental: http://www.holidaykeys.com