Those millions the state has spent on Pure Michigan ads around the country appear to be generating billions in tourism dollars.

Last year, tourism spending increased by more than $2 billion, the biggest one-year increase in travel spending in Michigan history, according to the state.

Visitor spending jumped to $17.2 billion in 2010 from $15.1 billion in 2009, according to a national survey of U.S. travel volumes and spending conducted by D.K. Shifflet & Associates.

Much of that 21 percent spike in tourism campaign is credited to the state's award-winning Pure Michigan campaign which are running nationally for the second year in a row after funding was restored.

The state spent $10 million in both 2009 and 2010 on national cable TV buys. In March, Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill bringing 2011 Pure Michigan funding to $25 million.

“Michigan is becoming a national destination for visitors from across the nation, making tourism increasingly important as new visitors help our economy grow,” said Snyder. “We expanded our Pure Michigan branding efforts early in my administration because they successfully tell the important story of Michigan, attracting visitors and investments to our state.”

The survey found $12.6 billion was spent on travel for leisure and $4.6 billion was spent on business travel.

The growth in visitor spending generated an estimated 13.4 percent increase in state tax revenue – $964 million in 2010, up from $849 million in 2009. The survey found 152,600 jobs were generated by Michigan’s tourism industry in 2010 – up 10,000 from the year before.

Leisure spending from out-of-state visitors saw double-digit growth for the first time. Here's where the growth was in 2010:

Leisure travel spending by Michigan residents grew 6 percent.

Business travel by out-of-state visitors climbed 9 percent.

Leisure travel by out-of-state visitors shot up by 21 percent.

To attract more out-of-state visitors and their vacation dollars here to Michigan, the state has spent the vast majority of Pure Michigan advertising budget on ads in other states like Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin, said George Zimmermann, vice president for Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

"With the 2010 travel numbers now out, we are pleased to see this strategy is working to grow our non-resident tourism base here in Michigan," Zimmerman said.

E-mail Shandra Martinez: smartinez@grpress.com and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/shandramartinez