This study aims to examine the influence of Entrepreneurship Education on Sustainable Tourism Development by considering the mediating role of Startups among university students. Although the tourism sector contributes significantly to economic growth, it continues to face challenges in implementing sustainability principles from environmental, social, and cultural perspectives. The research was conducted among university students from institutions that integrate entrepreneurship into their vision, mission, and curriculum. This study employed a quantitative research approach. Data were collected from 137 respondents using purposive sampling, involving students who had completed entrepreneurship courses. The data were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling–Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) with WarpPLS. The findings reveal that Entrepreneurship Education has a positive and significant direct effect on Startups and Sustainable Tourism Development. Startups also have a positive and significant effect on Sustainable Tourism Development and significantly mediate the relationship between Entrepreneurship Education and Sustainable Tourism Development. These findings indicate that entrepreneurship education contributes more effectively to sustainable tourism development when entrepreneurial knowledge is translated into startup creation and innovative business activities. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the strategic role of startups as a mechanism linking entrepreneurship education with sustainable tourism development. The findings also provide practical implications for higher education institutions in strengthening entrepreneurship education, business incubation, and startup development initiatives to support sustainable tourism and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).