Despite the many unknowns, the December pilot is the clearest sign yet that the Gulf is actually moving from talk to real tests. And for a bloc pouring money into tourism, smoother borders could change how travelers decide to move around it.
Sharjah is betting on eco-tourism to boost its appeal. Gas remains part of the mix, but with more renewables coming online and efforts to decarbonize supply chains, the emirate could offer the industry a path to lower-emission operations.