Romeo Apolega, SSChE, FChE, president/CEO of Is It Clean, led the discussion in Cagayan de Oro

Industry leaders from Mindanao’s hospitality sector gathered at the 2nd CEO Roundtable hosted by Is It Clean on June 9 at Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Cagayan de Oro City. Titled “The Future of Hotel Laundry & Linen Care,” the roundtable spotlighted evolving business models in hotel laundry, with particular focus on the ongoing debate: On-Premise Laundry (OPL) vs. Outsourced Laundry (OSL).

The exclusive forum, supported by Alliance Laundry Systems and Technolux Equipment & Supply Corporation, brought together hotel owners and general managers to discuss operational best practices, sustainability, and technology’s impact on manpower and service delivery.

Matteo Fossati (left) of Alliance Laundry Systems with Jerome De La Fuente, general manager of Limketkai Luxe Hotel and president of the Cagayan de Oro Hotel & Restaurant Association

Discussions revealed diverging strategies:
While some favored OPL for control and quality—especially for international hotels—others argued that OSL is the growing trend aligned with core business focus and tourism growth. Leaders also emphasized that training and knowledge gaps remain the key hurdles in both models, noting that technology without human capability can still lead to poor linen outcomes.

Adam Heather, senior regional manager at Alliance Laundry Systems, shared an Asia Pacific perspective of hotel laundry business models

On sustainability, speakers highlighted rainwater harvesting, solar energy, and soap water recycling as practical innovations. Labor shortages, drying costs, and the importance of proper inventory and standard operating procedures were also key points.

The roundtable ended with a consensus: whether hotels choose OPL or OSL, “clean” must mean more than just linen—it must mean trust, timing, and training.