Rural tourism as a diversification strategy might contribute to the sustainability of rural territories in developing countries. However, studies of the forms of how stakeholders relates are required to understand the configuration characteristics of the formal and informal dynamics present at a regional level. This paper explains the mediating role of collaborative governance between rural tourism and sustainable territory development in rural areas through quantitative research using structural equation modeling. The scales were validated by surveying members of civil society, the state, and the productive sector in Colombia. The results confirmed the reliability and validity of the measurement models. Additionally, they validated the dimensions proposed to determine the mediating role of collaborative governance between rural tourism and sustainable territory development. Finally, this document could contributes to a regional consensus on the role of collaborative governance in developing rural tourism actions that significantly promotes the sustainable development of rural territories. © 2024 ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.