Port Mac Goss: Alex and Marianna Vozzo

THIS week for Port Mac Goss, I caught up with Alex and Marianna Vozzo, the proud owners of East Port Motor Inn.

As relative newcomers to Port Macquarie, what do you think about the vibe of the region?

It’s heaven to us! We honestly believe that Port Macquarie is the best town in NSW. We feel “alive”. There is so much going on in the town and it’s close to a beautiful river and ocean. The Players Theatre is across the road and the wonderful Glasshouse is first class. We have only been here for one year and we feel that is the best business and personal decision we have made as a family.

With recent renovations to the motel, setting up a new business, and still managing a motel in Taree, how do you relax when you get the chance?

We get up early and take advantage of the Coastal Walk, past Town Beach. We cannot believe how many others, so early in the morning, are also up. Living so close to the beach, we are living our dream. One special hidden gem we discovered is the Sea Acres Rainforest. Every walk results in discovering something else we love.

You also own a motel in Taree, tell us about that experience?

It is called the InTown Motor Inn and we have owned it for three years. After only two weeks of owning the motel we were part of the big flood in 2021. We were lucky that our motel was high and dry, and we became part of the community to support and accommodate families who were affected. We had no idea how to run a motel but have learned a lot since and found out quickly that we love it. We realised immediately that good beds, TVs and shower pressure is part of the secret for a good motel.

What was the main motive to purchase another motel, this time in Port Macquarie?

We love the beach. This business investment involves our children, with our two older sons owning the business and myself and Alex owning the building. Combined, as a family, we have put in a lot of effort into the business. To summarise, living close to the beach was the main drawcard.

You have been in Port Macquarie for one year, what is next?

Connection and networking is important to us. We are just about to become members of the Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Association (GPMTA) and we are looking forward to meeting fellow businesses, introducing ourselves and becoming a vital part of this community’s future that relies heavily on tourism to succeed.

By Dave ‘Scoop’ LAZARUS