Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,624	$ 1,172
Viad Corp stockholders' equity:
Common stock, par value	$ 1.50	$ 1.50
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	24,934,981	24,934,981
Treasury stock, shares	4,809,459	4,710,988