ABSTRACT Tourism significantly influences world economies, necessitating sustainable business practices for long-term success. This study investigates the impact of sustainable tourism (ST) practices on economic growth (EG) using a questionnaire survey of 370 participants, analyzed with SPSS. Findings show that ST positively correlates with higher EG, especially when destinations emphasize responsible tourist development (TD), community involvement, and environmental conservation. Notably, environmental conservation measures have a significant positive impact on EG, underscoring the importance of effective implementation in sustainable practices. The study also highlights the nuanced influence of destination characteristics on the EG-sustainability relationship, with regional and contextual factors contributing to varied outcomes. This research provides novel insights into the complex connection between ST and EG, identifying strategic interventions to maximize positive impacts on both environmental conservation and economic development. Responsible TD strategies are shown to be crucial, demonstrating a sustained positive correlation with EG over time.