This thesis is an anthropological study of consumption and self-construction on the Greek tourist island of Mykonos. The ethnographic material is collected from informants/agents of an, initially, heterogeneous cultural background and with a highly individualistic discourse, who, paradoxically, form a group. The identity of this new Mykonian group of exogenous 'locals' is self-created and draws on several 'local' myths. Therefore, the ethnography concentrates on the discursive making of these myths. The characteristic all these myths share is that they revolve around a common theme: symbolic 'otherness'. This discursive otherness, is initially reflected in the emerging myth of the cosmopolitan place in which it is performed, the place-myth of Mykonos. But symmetrically in our case, the myth of the place, counter-reflects the myth of its subjects. A series of invented 'heroes' gradually prospers in the mythical space of 'otherness': first the reckless, unorthodox locals; then the eccentric 'first visitors' followed by the alternative groups of the seventies, the subcultural groups of the eighties and the tribestyles of the nineties. The myth of this spatial 'otherness', apart from the peculiar groupings which it simultaneously attracts and creates, is also a propagator of self- myths. The thesis explores the construction of selves and communities through their consumption patterns, manipulation of aesthetics, invented rituals and a distinctive set of social practices, but primarily through their discursive otherness. The myth of the idiosyncratic space is echoed in the myth of their unclassified and fetishised selves. Nevertheless, the 'anarchic' property of the space is its only consistent pattern and, in turn, a source of communal identity. The discourse of locality that stems out of these 'mythologies' celebrates a highly subjective pattern of aesthetic 'otherness'. The bonding of all these myths lies precisely in their taste for 'difference'. The fetishisation of the self reflects upon the fetishisation of space; as much as, the fetishisation of space reflects upon the fetishisation of the self.

[pt] Ilhas turísticas em geral enfrentam grandes desafios com a gestão de resíduos, especialmente devido a disposição inadequada de resíduos sólidos urbanos e a falta de conscientização. A Ilha de Boipeba, na Bahia, é um exemplo claro dessa problemática. A gestão de resíduos na ilha é uma grande dificuldade enfrentada pela administração pública e recebe pouca atenção da população local, resultando em um lixão crescente que contamina o lençol freático e rios, o que já afeta alguns pontos turísticos. Este trabalho visa fornecer uma análise sobre a realidade local e investigar soluções baseadas em casos positivos e negativos ao redor do mundo e como os investimentos em sustentabilidade podem impulsionar o turismo. A pesquisa de campo, que incluiu entrevistas semiestruturadas e visitas técnicas, revelou a ausência de uma demanda significativa por melhorias, seja por desconhecimento ou desinteresse. Sem essa demanda, a gestão pública não prioriza a resolução do problema. Contudo, há formas de conscientizar a população e iniciar melhorias. As recomendações propostas, baseadas em diferentes casos e na literatura, englobam a gestão dos impactos por meio de ações de prevenção, mitigação e de fomentos e incentivos, considerando a capacidade de carga para o planejamento territorial local. A pesquisa demonstra que uma gestão eficaz de resíduos, como parte de uma estratégia de sustentabilidade, pode não apenas melhorar a qualidade ambiental e de vida da população local, mas também alavancar os benefícios econômicos e competitivos do destino turístico. Portanto, as estratégias delineadas visam transformar a gestão de resíduos em uma vantagem competitiva para a Ilha de Boipeba. / [en] Tourist islands generally face significant challenges with waste management, especially due to dumps and a lack of awareness. Boipeba Island, in Bahia, is a clear example of this issue. Waste management on the island poses a major difficulty for public administration and receives little attention from the local population, resulting in a growing dump that contaminates the groundwater and rivers, already affecting some tourist spots. This study aims to provide an analysis of the local reality and investigate solutions based on positive and negative cases worldwide, as well as how investments in sustainability can boost tourism. The field research, which included semi-structured interviews and technical visits, revealed a lack of significant demand for improvements, either due to ignorance or disinterest. Without this demand, public management does not prioritize solving the problem. However, there are ways to raise awareness among the population and initiate improvements. The proposed recommendations, based on different cases and the literature, encompass impact management through prevention, mitigation, and fostering and incentives, considering the carrying capacity for local territorial planning. The research demonstrates that effective waste management, as part of a sustainability strategy, can not only improve the environmental quality and life of the local population but also enhance the economic and competitive benefits of the tourist destination. Therefore, the outlined strategies aim to transform waste management into a competitive advantage for Boipeba Island.