( CNN ) -- Under the baking hot skies of the Persian Gulf the region 's travel hubs are showing they 're not just places to change planes -- they 're destinations in their own right . The Gulf 's `` Big Three '' carriers -- Dubai-based Emirates , Abu Dhabi 's Etihad , and Doha-based Qatar Airways -- have grown dramatically over the last decade , opening new routes and competing with the biggest names in aviation . Conveniently placed between east and west , the Gulf 's geographic location has been a major factor in these industry-reshaping developments . Anywhere in the world is one stop from the Gulf . Add to this the investment in state-of-the-art airports and vast new plane fleets , as well as the acquisition of stakes in some of Europe 's biggest airlines which have ruptured traditional airline alliances , and it is clear why more and more commercial traffic is making a pit-stop in the region . Watch video : 'Gulf Three ' shake up global aviation . But the `` Big Three '' are keen to stress that Abu Dhabi , Qatar and Dubai are more than just strategically located landing strips in the desert . Each is a thriving commercial and cultural destination with plenty to offer travelers passing through the region . Dubai . Literally built out of the sand , Dubai set out on its meteoric rise into the global community in the early 1970s . In just three decades it grew from a humble fishing and trading dock into a world-renowned tax-free business haven . With artificial islands , gaudy luxury hotels and colossal skyscrapers , modern Dubai is nothing if not spectacular . And according to Emirates president Tim Clarke , Dubai is more than just a transfer hub . `` Dubai is such a great place to live and work , have your family , have education , health , etc . The lifestyle is very good , '' Clarke told CNN 's Richard Quest . `` Remember , we have nearly 80,000 hotel rooms here , which is a lot more than most large cities in the world today , '' he added . Watch video : Emirates shakes up aviation industry . Top attraction : Any traveler will struggle to miss the world 's largest building , the Burj Khalifa , which is more than 2,700 feet tall and offers the perfect vantage point to view the city 's ever expanding skyline . Where to stay : Dubai may have a huge number of hotels but few are more impressive than the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab , which offers jacuzzis in every suite , an army of trained butlers and guest access to a fleet of chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce cars . Abu Dhabi . Like Dubai , downtown Abu Dhabi has its fair share of large mirror-and-glass buildings that stretch high into the sky . Unlike its upstart neighbor , however , the emirate is eager to emphasize its cultural and traditional heritage alongside its shiny modern facade . A number of important Islamic and historical sites are dotted across Abu Dhabi , whilst plans are in place to open branches of major museums such as the Louvre and Guggenheim by 2017 . See also : The desert gem stepping out of Dubai 's shadow . Top attraction : The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is one of the biggest in the world . Spread over 22,000 square meters it can accommodate a staggering 41,000 worshipers . Abu Dhabi 's close proximity to the desert means even short-stay travelers can take a trip out onto its sun-drenched dunes . Where to stay : Built in 2005 , the Emirates Palace Hotel is located on a private beach . Despite its youth , the 114 domes that grace the opulent hotel evoke traditional Arabian architecture . Doha . Unlike Dubai and Abu Dhabi , the Qatari capital of Doha has less experience when it comes to welcoming foreign tourists and travelers . This situation will change dramatically in the coming years as the tiny nation prepares to host the football extravaganza of the 2022 FIFA World Cup . A detailed plan is already in place to develop tourism in Qatar , although the CEO of Qatar Airways , Akbar Al Baker , is keen for the country to maintain its cultural integrity . `` We do n't want to be a mass-tourism destination , we want to be very selective , '' he told Quest . `` We have a lot of culture in this country , the people 's mindset is different . We want to respect that mindset ... and grow our tourism in a way that does not dispute the cultural fabric of my country . '' Watch video : A new chapter for Qatar Airways ? Top attraction : The Museum of Islamic Art only opened its doors in 2009 but it claims its collection of Islamic pieces is already one of the most extensive in the world . The Souq Waqif , which has been situated on the same site for more than a century , is the perfect place to pick up a traditional souvenir . Where to stay : At 300 meters high , the Torch Hotel is the tallest building in Doha and offers spectacular 360-degree views across the city as well as a spectacular architecture . See also : 5 destinations to explore in Qatar .
Shift in the aviation industry bringing new travelers to the Persian Gulf . Emirates , Etihad and Qatar Airways are at the forefront of these developments . Gulf nations hope to benefit from increased air traffic into the region .