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Hotelier’s TikTok Run Becomes a Playbook for Germany’s Mittelstand

Germany’s women entrepreneurs association cites the approach as evidence that personality can outperform large marketing budgets.

Overview

  • Caroline von Kretschmann, managing director of Heidelberg’s five-star Europäischer Hof, has drawn millions of views on TikTok, with a recent clip at about 7.9 million.
  • She began posting staff dance and behind-the-scenes videos during the 2020 pandemic to boost morale and visibility.
  • The hotel reports tangible effects from social platforms, saying 10–12% of guests now come via social media and a viral schlager clip yielded more than 70 job applications.
  • Industry voices, including the VdU and a marketing professor, highlight “entertainment plus authenticity” and visible leadership as key to the hotel’s reach.
  • Von Kretschmann mixes playful content with value statements, answering criticism of a post about the AfD by affirming support for Germany’s democratic order.