There has been a 50 per cent drop in caravan park bookings in the Northern Territory, sparking concerns for the upcoming tourism season.
Operators claim recent coverage of crime and social issues in Central Australia is largely to blame, as well as the price of airfares and the cost of living.
Caravan Parks Association NT president and Alice Springs caravan park owner Brendan Heenan said it had been a poor start to the season.
"Compared to last year, which actually was very good, sites are down around 50 per cent, and 25 per cent on the cabins," he said.
"We're all in the same boat — we're all suffering from the downturn."
Mr Heenan said the negative national attention the region was receiving was having an impact.
"I think Alice seems to cop the bad publicity Australia-wide," he said.
"It just shows you that something's in the wind.
"These people aren't comfortable coming here for some reason."
Tourists bypassing Alice Spring is 'really disappointing'
Easter weekend is often viewed as the unofficial beginning of the tourism season in Alice Springs.
This year it was also marked by the beginning of renowned Indigenous light festival Parrtjima.
Lee Donald, the general manager of Ross River Resort in the East MacDonnell Ranges, said there was a higher-than-usual representation of locals that visitors at the event on the weekend.
"There were not as many as usual," she said.
"They are around, but certainly not as many."
Ms Donald said anecdotal reports from travellers suggested many were bypassing the town centre and heading straight to the surrounding tourist attractions.
"They're getting through fast and trying to come east and west from Alice," she said.
"It's really disappointing."
Crime and cost of living is turning people away
Concern over the numbers is widespread across the industry, including the hospitality sector.
Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce said while numbers for February and March showed glimmers of hope, figures had plummeted in April and were far below what would be expected for this time.
Mr Bruce said the downturn in his sector was not as drastic as it was for caravan parks, but it was still "significant".
He said cost of living pressures were a key factor behind the "drive" market slowing, with recent national coverage on issues plaguing the region also a major culprit.
"There are multiple reasons, and crime is one of them that has resonated across the country," he said.
"It impacts how often and how long [tourists] stay in Alice Springs."
