The ceremonies marking the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic have come and gone but some people expect the sombre occasion will attract visitors to Nova Scotia for months, if not years, to come.

The latest visitors to the Halifax area arrived late Monday afternoon on the MS Balmoral – a Titanic memorial cruise ship.

The 1,300 passengers traced the path of Titanic's ill-fated voyage from Southampton, England to the site where it sank off the coast of Newfoundland and now they have come to explore Halifax, where most of the victims' bodies came to rest.

They are just the latest group of tourists visiting the city to learn of its connection to the disaster.

"It's enhanced Nova Scotia's presence on the global stage," says Nova Scotia Tourism Minister Percy Paris.

Hundreds of tourists and international media crews flocked to the city last week as it commemorated the anniversary. The provincial government's website saw an increase of more than 70 per cent in traffic on the day of the anniversary alone.

"I think people have traveled a great distance and the more that we can offer to add to that experience I think is a good thing," says Paris. "I think it's a good thing for them and I think it's a good thing for Nova Scotia."

However, some worry it will look as though the province is cashing in on a tragedy.

"I like to see the businesses do well. I like to see Halifax benefit, I just hate to see it happen this way," says visitor Robert Seeley.

"Although yes, to some people it might seem morbid in a sense that you're gaining financially from what is essentially a huge tragedy, human nature will always be such," says visitor Victoria Holman-Kimm.

Holman-Kimm has come to Halifax from England to pay her respects during the Titanic's centenary.

"It's very touching," says Holman-Kimm. "I've been obsessed since I was a little girl."

In addition to seeing the sights, Holman-Kimm is also taking in a little shopping, including spending money at a local bookstore.

"It's been steady," says bookstore manager Mike Hamm. "It's been steady for quite some time."

The bookstore is not alone; hotels are also feeling an upswing in traffic.

"Sold out Friday night, sold out Saturday night, almost sold out last night and in April, we usually couldn't count on that," says hotel salesperson Glenn Bowie.

They attribute the success to the draw of the anniversary of the Titanic and believe this weekend was only just the beginning of a busy tourist season.

"I think the most direct effect is for this summer, because people are probably going to plan to come to visit all of the sites here, but probably for the next couple of years as well," says Hamm.

As for the passengers on board the MS Balmoral, they will be leaving the ship to spend a night in the city, and touring the area Tuesday.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kayla Hounsell