Abstract
This research develops a theoretical framework explaining how University -Industry
Linkages (UILs) affect the performance of tourism clusters in Thailand. Significant
external and internal factors affecting Thai tourism industry are examined. The
research questions are significant given the importance of successful tourism cluster
through University -Industry Linkages (UIL). These questions recognized tourism
clusters, the role of university, the linkages between university and industry,
influential factors are contextual, and as a result, the author explores four tourism
clusters in Thailand and using multiple case studies explains the nature and
character of tourism cluster and University- Industry Linkages (UILs) between
tourism cluster and its universities. The findings demonstrated that UILs, strategic
entrepreneurship and leadership play key role to successful tourism cluster in
developing countries.
