However, the Centre region is not situated in the geographical centre of France (except theCher department). The name was criticised as being too dull and nondescript.[citation needed] Proposed names for the region includedVal de Loire after theLoire Valley (the main feature of the region) orCœur de Loire (Heart of Loire).[citation needed] On 17 January 2015, as part of the reorganisation of French regions, the region's official name was changed toCentre-Val de Loire.[3]Val de Loire is associated with positive images of the Loire Valley, such as thechâteaux, the gentle and refined lifestyle, wine, as well as the mild and temperate climate, all of which attract many tourists to the region. A new logo was also created.
Thegross domestic product (GDP) of the region was 72.4 billion euros in 2018, accounting for 3.1% of French economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 25,200 euros or 84% of the EU27 average in the same year. The GDP per employee was 99% of the EU average.[4]
An economic development agency, calledCentréco, was created in 1994 by the Regional Council of Centre to promote the inflow of investments and the establishment of new businesses by French and foreign companies in the Centre region. This contributes to a mission of economic promotion, international support to regional companies, and the promotion of regional agrofood products via a regional signature,du Centre.
Tours Val de Loire Airport is the only airport in the region with only providing limited flights in some destinations. However, the region would normally uses Paris'sCharles de Gaulle Airport as it provides more domestic and international destinations. It is accessible by train which takes an hour and 40 minutes from Tours.
