(RALEIGH) -- All 100 North Carolina counties saw increases in visitor spending in 2011, according to new data released by the state division of tourism, film and sports development. A record $18 billion was spent by visitors in 2011.

Mecklenburg, Wake and Guilford counties took in more than $1 billion in visitor spending in 2011, while Dare, Buncombe, Forsyth and Durham all had more than half a billion in spending. The report also showed that, for the first time, state tax receipts as a result of visitor spending neared $1 billion in 2011. Local tax revenues totaled nearly $561 million. Visitor expenditures directly generated 187,900 jobs and more than $4 billion in payroll income within North Carolina in 2011.

"Tourism means jobs, nearly 200,000 of them across North Carolina,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “The depth of the state's appeal is reflected in the fact that every corner of North Carolina benefited from tourism. More than 37 million people experienced what makes this state such a desirable destination, from our wondrous coast and breathtaking mountains to our lively cities and fascinating towns.”

The visitor spending figures come from an annual study commissioned by the Division of Tourism and conducted by the U.S. Travel Association.