No, really. Here are a few articles. There are more:

http://www.fastcompany.com/3021179/secrets-of-running-a-six-...

http://mashable.com/2013/11/04/bought-apartment-rent-airbnb/

http://www.quora.com/Airbnb/Does-it-make-financial-sense-to-...

The $billion$ numbers don't make me think it is anything otherwise. Compare with the 'Youth Hostel' movement of a foregone age and how that broke even as a charity (no tax), with well meaning folk leaving property to them (no debt) and the 'youths' doing their own cleaning with bedding they brought. AirBnb stinks of speculative bubble money and it is only a matter of time before the rentseekers of the buy-to-let market get their fat arses into it.