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The National Craft Traders' and Producers' Association says its members have not been benefiting from the tourism dollar associated with the annual staging of Reggae Sumfest.

"When Sumfest just started we use to benefit, but that doesn't happen anymore," Melody Haughton, president of the association who operates her craft trading business from the Harbour Street Craft Market in Montego Bay, said.

She said Reggae Sumfest, the week-long music festival which runs from July 14 to 20 and which features the likes of Buju Banton, Beres Hammond, and Chronixx, has not done anything for craft traders lately.

Haughton said that tourists are being diverted from the local craft markets and as a result, traders have been having a difficult time.

"The period in which Sumfest is being held is a season for the craft traders, where you will have the Jamaicans who come home for Independence - they start coming in from as far back as July, some will spend the entire month. Our craft traders know this and will make preparation for them," Haughton said.

"It's a season that craft traders will prepare for, but not for Sumfest. It very sad that a major event as this one is being held in the city of Montego Bay and local folks don't benefit anymore," she added.

Ruby Barrett, president of the Old Forte Craft Market, expressed similar sentiments to Haughton's.

"We don't have any plans for Reggae Sumfest. We seldom get any business here at the craft market from that show," Barrett said.

"First time we use to benefit from Sumfest, but because the tourists are taken to other places ... they are the places that will benefit from Sumfest, not the small people like us, who sit down here in the craft market hoping to get some business," she added.