実際に映画や本に出てくるシーンの多くが英国やフランスだから、ダ・ヴィンチ・コードの筋書きを追いながら旅行するには、鉄道が一番便利だから、是非高く（！）ても便利なユーロスターを使ってネ、ということらしいです。また、北アメリカでは2005年度のユーロスターの乗車券の売上が2004年に比べて７％アップしたそうです。
そりゃ、確かに美味しい話ですね。ダ・ヴィンチ・コードの恩恵を受けたのは角川書店やルーブルだけではなかったようですね。そのうち、ユーロスターからもダ・ヴィンチ・コードとタイアップしたポスターとかも出てきそう。いやあ～、凄い＆凄い（拍手）。
Eurostar to Promote The Da Vinci Code Tourism as Film's Partner
【以下、原文転載】
WHITE PLAINS, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 01/10/2006 -- Eurostar, the high-speed train connecting the UK with France and Belgium, will lead an international campaign to promote tourism to London, Paris and Edinburgh in conjunction with the May 19 release of the Columbia Pictures' movie based on Dan Brown's bestseller, "The Da Vinci Code". Eurostar was today named the first global partner of the eagerly awaited film.
With most of the film/book scenes taking place in London and Paris, the Eurostar train is the most convenient way for fans to follow "The Da Vinci Code" plot themselves. In fact, the book's popularity has already helped boost Eurostar sales, and the film is expected to accelerate "The Da Vinci Code" effect on train ticket sales, according to both UK-based Eurostar and New York-based Rail Europe, Eurostar's official North American representative and leading North American distributor of European rail travel. Eurostar ticket sales in North America were up 7% for 2005 compared to 2004.
"An increasing number of our leisure travelers are on 'The Da Vinci Code' trail," notes Paul Charles, Director of Communications for Eurostar. "The book is one of the most common items in our lost property office these days."
Eurostar and Rail Europe, together with tourism officials in the England, France and Scotland, will soon launch a series of TV, online and in-rail station marketing and promotional programs in the US, France, the UK and Belgium in support of the film's May release.
In addition to Eurostar, Rail Europe's product line includes France Railpasses, BritRail Passes and point-to-point tickets throughout Europe, so that travelers taking a Da Vinci Code vacation can use the trains to connect other locations in the mystery, such as Edinburgh in Scotland and Amboise in France.
Traveling at speeds up to 186 mph, Eurostar makes the London-Paris journey in an astonishing 2 hrs 35 min, London-Brussels in 2 hrs 15 minutes on the fastest schedules. Travel times will shrink by another 20 minutes in 2007 when the last segment of high-speed track is completed in England. Fares start at just $90 US roundtrip between London-Paris (or London-Brussels). More than 65 million travelers have ridden Eurostar since the launch of service in 1994.
For more information visit www.eurostar.com or contact Rail Europe, Eurostar's official North American representative at www.raileurope.com in the US or www.raileurope.ca in Canada or call 1-800-EUROSTAR (1-800-387-6782).
