Oil-rich owners trying to diversify their economies by bringing people to their shores who may return as tourists. I've actually had a fare on Emirates become significantly cheaper if I worked in two days in DXB! (which I wanted to do anyway...)

The ploy worked, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in DXB and will go back sometime this year or next - though I doubt I'll be flying EK, since they don't give any miles in the programs where I need them, now that I've cashed out of DL.

I've also noticed that flights from Europe to DXB are pretty cheap milewise on EK. I think it works out so that two trips in Y to SYD give you a free flight form the UK to the UAE. Burning all those miles you got off that cheap fare to Oz will probably end up bringing the sheiks some more tourism revenue.

Gulf, Qatar and Etihad are all playing the same game. It's a smart system, but you need some serious cash to make it work.

In your case, I would check on the stopover if I were you. On a J or F ticket, it's even likely to be free.

BTW, I think SQ used to follow the same strategy in the 80s and early 90s before they made their way to the sort of status they enjoy now.