Uploading a post in this regard in social media and then addressing the media in Guwahati on Friday, Sarmah said: “I’m opposed to ministers going abroad to promote tourism without being thorough on tourism potential, prospects and tourism infrastructure in the State. We need to be very clear as to what types of tourists we want to woo. If we want religious tourists (pilgrims) we need to go to UP, Bihar, MP etc. If we want Buddhist tourists, we need to sign a deal with Chi. Without any knowledge on tourism and its potentialities in Assam we can’t woo any tourists even if we stay nights after nights in five-star hotels in foreign countries. Gujarat has nothing much other than Somth Temple and a few others to lure pilgrims. However, Mega Star Amitabh Bachchan, in his avatar as Tourism Ambassador of the State, has changed tourist flow into the State. Who doesn’t know muga silk in Assam? The advertisement that appeared in the media on Friday should’ve been published in tiol and intertiol media where the golden fabric is not known. Such approach can only woo tourists to the State. Even people from South India aren’t aware of the Shaktipeeth Kamakhya. It’s well known among West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Nepal. If the tourist spots of the State are to be made popular in the world, we need to circulate advertisements on them in electronic conveyer belts in the major intertiol airports at Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Bagalore, Cheni, Hyderabad etc. This route has been chosen by Kerala, Kartaka, Madhya Pradesh etc., with positive outcome. If properly tapped, only tourism sector can absorb around five lakh unemployed youth in the State. Infrastructure in our government guest houses needs to be developed.”