British couple saw Manitoulin on ‘Race Around the World’, liked what they saw
MANITOULIN—Europe is transfixed by the reality series ‘Race Around the World,’ and it was with great surprise that Leanne and Rob Beatty, owners of Mountain View Resort on Lake Manitou, discovered how the show benefitted them.
‘Race Around the World’ began its debut in 2019. Much like the popular Amazing Race of the US and Canada, the program follows teams of two as they race to reach their final destination. Participants can use any means of transportation except air travel, and they are not allowed to use cell phones or credit cards but are given money in the amount of a one-way plane ticket to that final destination. It’s up to each team to work out the logistics. Season 3 was about racing from British Columbia to Newfoundland, and episode 5 of the popular TV show had the contestants travelling from Thunder Bay to Manitoulin Island.
“Actually,” said Leane Beatty, “it was somebody from Britain who originally called to book a reservation. I said, ‘How did you hear about us?’ And they said, ‘we watch a show called ‘Trek around the World.’ They called it Trek around the World, but we learned it’s ‘Race Around the World.’ They said, ‘We heard about Manitoulin Island on that show and we’re very avid watchers of the show, and we wanted to check it out.’” And they were not alone. “We’ve also had guests come from France, and then some people from Austria and from Amsterdam,” Ms. Beatty recounted. All because of this show, originating in Great Britain, but airing throughout Europe and parts of India.
“No one seemed to know, on the Island, that Manitoulin Island was part of the show. There would have been film crews around, how did no one know about this?” Ms. Beatty said, bewildered. In fact, the show keeps a low profile during the filming, sending only two crew members out with each team.
A conversation with Jeff Lewis, of Kicking Mule Guest Ranch, revealed that, more and more, he’s been hosting guests from all over the world as well. When asked if anyone had mentioned ‘Race Across the World,’ he squinted, considering the question. “Possibly,” he said, “something like that may have been mentioned, and I just didn’t clue in.”
Mr. Lewis has his guests sign boards that will ultimately become fence posts. “At the beginning of the summer, I had eight, now I’m beginning the 22nd post. It’s been a busy season, with people coming from China, India, Ireland, South America and Germany. I’m really popular in Germany,” he said with a laugh. “These people showed me a travel magazine from Germany. There was The Kicking Mule Guest Ranch. It was all in German, so I didn’t understand it, but they told me it said we were the place to be for the Western Ranch experience without going all the way out west. Apparently, the show ‘Yellowstone’ is popular in Germany and everyone wants to visit a western-style ranch. I don’t know how I got in the magazine,” he said, mystified, “I didn’t pay for any ads in a German Magazine.”
Leanne and Rob Beatty find their visitors from the UK and Europe willing to engage in conversation. “They love Canada and the ability to freely move about everywhere,” Ms. Beatty said. Her husband readily agreed. “Yes,” he said, “They mentioned that many times. We really enjoy having people come and tell us their stories, how they heard about us and why they came.”
No doubt, those in the hospitality industry hope they will continue to come. Whether ‘Race Around the World,’ ‘Yellowstone,’ or whatever show sparks an interest in exploration, the world is becoming smaller and social media has made it so. Possibly other resorts, motels, campgrounds and restaurants on the island have experienced this worldwide influx of visitors. After COVID, Mountain View Resort and Kicking Mule Guest Ranch certainly welcome these world travellers. Thanks to the world-wide-web, Manitoulin Island isn’t now just on the map, it has become part of the race.
by Margery Frisch
