Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Non- Controlling Interest	Additional Capital	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Unearned Employees Benefits and Other	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Common Stock in Treasury	Total Viad Equity
Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 467,089	$ 37,402	$ 6,534	$ 623,781	$ 91,558	$ (7,881)	$ 2,498	$ (286,803)	$ 460,555
Net income (loss)	(104,129)		582		(104,711)				(104,711)
Dividends on common stock	(3,292)				(3,292)				(3,292)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(1,233)							(1,233)	(1,233)
Employee benefit plans	(30)			(21,398)		(30)		21,398	(30)
ESOP allocation adjustment	1,964					1,964			1,964
Share-based compensation--equity awards	4,899			4,899					4,899
Tax deficiencies from share-based compensation	(1,251)			(1,251)					(1,251)
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	25,050						25,050		25,050
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	216						216		216
Amortization of prior service credit	548						(548)		(548)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	(4,164)						(4,164)		(4,164)
Other, net	60			7	40	(7)		20	60
Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	384,631	37,402	7,116	606,038	(16,405)	(5,954)	23,052	(266,618)	377,515
Net income (loss)	1,079		636		443				443
Dividends on common stock	(3,275)				(3,275)				(3,275)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(6,905)							(6,905)	(6,905)
Employee benefit plans	592			(2,397)				2,989	592
ESOP allocation adjustment	1,518					1,518			1,518
Share-based compensation--equity awards	3,785			3,785					3,785
Tax deficiencies from share-based compensation	(524)			(524)					(524)
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	7,696						7,696		7,696
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	128						128		128
Amortization of prior service credit	(84)						84		84
Amortization of net actuarial loss	(2,109)						(2,109)		(2,109)
Other, net	11				8	3			11
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	386,711	37,402	7,752	606,902	(19,229)	(4,433)	28,851	(270,534)	378,959
Net income (loss)	9,743		533		9,210				9,210
Dividends on common stock	(3,241)				(3,241)				(3,241)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(5,230)							(5,230)	(5,230)
Employee benefit plans	295			(11,086)				11,381	295
ESOP allocation adjustment	1,490					1,490			1,490
Share-based compensation--equity awards	3,688			3,688					3,688
Tax deficiencies from share-based compensation	(325)			(325)					(325)
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	(4,331)						(4,331)		(4,331)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(60)						(60)		(60)
Amortization of prior service credit	790						(790)		(790)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	(1,777)						(1,777)		(1,777)
Other, net	6			9	4	(8)		1	6
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 386,179	$ 37,402	$ 8,285	$ 599,188	$ (13,256)	$ (2,951)	$ 21,893	$ (264,382)	$ 377,894