Identifying key drivers of creative urban tourism is a critical new strategy for the sustainable development of metropolises like Ahvaz. This approach, by diversifying the economy, reducing reliance on unsustainable resources, and creating job opportunities, helps improve the quality of urban life. Analyzing these factors enables targeted planning to leverage the city's cultural and artistic potential, leading to inclusive and sustainable development. The aim of this research is to evaluate the role of creative urban tourism in the sustainable development of Ahvaz metropolis. This is an applied, descriptive-analytical study that uses a mixed-method approach, combining library research with surveys, and is based on a futures study’s perspective. The study’s scope is the city of Ahvaz. The statistical population consists of 35 urban experts, city managers, and urban tourism specialists. For data analysis, the study employed the Delphi method and MICMAC cross-impact matrix analysis. The results indicate that factors such as social awareness, public participation, and branding play a vital role in the sustainable development of this industry. Finally, by emphasizing these key drivers, the research provides strategies for planning and improving the state of creative tourism in this metropolis.