Here's what the strong dollar means for summer travel

The U.S. dollar has strengthened against many foreign currencies this year. Yes, the dollar has lost purchasing power in the face of inflation but has actually gained ground relative to other currencies.

The upshot: Summer travelers heading overseas could enjoy a discount on everything from hotel rooms to croissants.

If you're still deciding where (and whether) to travel this summer, the strength of the dollar could be a deciding factor.

The dollar was 11% stronger against the euro in April compared with April 2021, according to data from the Federal Reserve. The two currencies have been flirting with 1:1 parity, which hasn't happened since the early 2000s. For the past 20 years, a dollar has been worth less than a euro.

Besides avoiding the headache of calculating the dollar cost of a 300 euro train ticket (it's now about $300), this parity can make a big impact on European vacation budgets. Spending in countries that use the euro will be cheaper, in relative terms, than it has been in a long time.

Assuming exchange rates remain steady throughout the summer, this could mean hundreds of dollars in relative savings. They're "relative" because the absolute prices of expenses such as food and transportation will remain affected by global inflation.

The U.S. dollar is strong against many foreign currencies this year, but not all. Converting dollars to Japanese yen yielded 16% better results in April than the year prior, but the Mexican peso and Canadian dollar have remained relatively flat.

Note also that Canada and Mexico have seen little change in their currencies relative to the U.S. dollar in the past year. Despite this, U.S. travelers continue to flock to Mexico, with 31% more citizens heading south of the border in April compared with April 2019, according to data from the International Trade Administration.

Data shows that more U.S. travelers are choosing Mexico over Europe.

U.S. vacationers remain wary of Europe, with 25% fewer departures for that continent in April compared with April 2019.

This situation provides a double-whammy opportunity for money-conscious travelers. The U.S. dollar is particularly powerful in Europe and fewer people are visiting, which could keep prices down for accommodations and other expenses.

These trends offer a compelling financial reason to skip Mexico for the time being.