Published Article

ABSTRACT Art and craft industry is a major economic sector of tourism development in Oredo. The aim of this study is to establish art and craft as a veritable source of tourism economic development; the objectives of the study are to: undertake the itinerary of art and craft in the study area, identify the art and craft stakeholder in the study area, examine the socioeconomic benefits of art and craft to the stakeholders and identify the problems associated with art and craft production in the study area; Data were collected by structured questionnaire; oral interviews, on site visits and participant observations so as to gain perception and understanding of the art and craft sector. The primary data was gathered from the crafters through interviews, while the Secondary data were gathered from questionnaires. The results and findings show that art and craft sector has socioeconomic and economic benefits to the stakeholders though there are infrastructural deficiencies, lack of capital, no conducive environment and regular power supply to work; that the government should put in place, to enhance the sector. Conclusion and recommendation are drawn that since the sector has socio economic and economic benefits that art and craft bring for the stakeholders and even the government both state and local, the government should try to ameliorate the problems. KEY WORDS: Arts and craft, tourism development, stakeholders, socio-economic benefits