This research is intended to investigate how generative leadership influences sustainable performance in Pakistan’s tourist industry, utilizing green passion and green work behavior as mediators. This study gathered data from 343 frontline workers and 120 managers in various Pakistani tourist firms, utilizing a non-probability sampling technique and standardized measurement scales. Employing SPSS PROCESS macros (model 4), this study meticulously scrutinized both the direct and indirect associations among the variables. The results of this study reveal a robust connection between generative leadership and sustainable performance. Furthermore, green passion and green work behavior are found to partially mediate the relationship between generative leadership and sustainable performance. These findings empirically endorse the significance of generative leadership in instituting sustainable practices in the tourism industry, as well as the role that employee attitudes and behaviors play in mediating this relationship. However, it is important to note that this study’s scope is limited to the Pakistani context, and further cross-cultural investigations may be needed to generalize these findings. Additionally, practical implications suggest that organizations in the tourism sector can benefit from fostering generative leadership to promote sustainability, offering valuable insights for industry practitioners and policymakers looking to encourage sustainable practices not only within Pakistan’s tourism sector but also in similar contexts worldwide.