text:  Despite Rafael's gloomy outlook, one area where the economy is enjoying a resurgence is tourism. I'm Alex Novoa. I own a hotel in Playa del Sonte, a hotel and restaurant and surf school. Alex Novoa is a surfing legend in El Salvador. He owns and runs Esencia Nativa, a restaurant and surf school in a beach village full of mango trees and lush tropical vegetation called El Sonte. Surfing is a big pool for the tourists.