Drones being used to help boost tourism

Visit York has employed the technology to capture airborne images over the city in what is thought to be a first for the region.

Yesterday filming was taking place at landmarks including York Minster, the City Walls and Museum Gardens as well as Castle Howard. Footage will be aired at www.visityork.org/first, on social media and on the website of a national newspaper from December.

Michelle Brown, marketing manager at Visit York said: “This is a first for York and Yorkshire and we’re excited to see the finished results.”

The filming is part of Visit York’s First Time marketing campaign which is backed through the Regional Growth Fund, supported by Visit England and East Coast. Its aim is to inspire UK residents to choose York for their holiday, in particular attracting the attention of people who have never considered a trip to the city before.

Last month intelligence experts warned the use of drones in British skies will expand rapidly over the next 20 years, posing a serious security risk and significant privacy concerns.

Terrorists could also turn the Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) into flying bombs by hooking them up to improvised explosive devices, according to the University of Birmingham Policy Commission Report.

Drones were the “ideal lookouts for burglars, train robbers and poachers,” it said.