Stockholder's Equity (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]

Reconciliation of the carrying amounts of stockholders' equity attributable to Viad and the noncontrolling interest

	Total Viad Stockholders’ Equity			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Stockholders’ Equity
				(in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2012	$	377,894		$	8,285		$	386,179
Net income (loss)		7,117			(462	)		6,655
Dividends on common stock		(1,623	)		—			(1,623	)
Common stock purchased for treasury		(1,000	)		—			(1,000	)
Employee benefit plans		2,279			—			2,279
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment		996			—			996
Unrealized gain on investments		51			—			51
Prior service credit and net actuarial loss		5			—			5
ESOP allocation adjustment		650			—			650
Other		(2	)		(1	)		(3	)
Balance at June 30, 2012	$	386,367		$	7,822		$	394,189

	Total Viad Stockholders’ Equity			Noncontrolling Interest			Total Stockholders’ Equity
				(in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2011	$	378,959		$	7,752		$	386,711
Net income (loss)		14,272			(363	)		13,909
Dividends on common stock		(1,630	)		—			(1,630	)
Common stock purchased for treasury		(679	)		—			(679	)
Employee benefit plans		1,931			—			1,931
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment		5,612			—			5,612
Unrealized gain on investments		61			—			61
Prior service credit and net actuarial loss		13			—			13
ESOP allocation adjustment		620			—			620
Other		9			—			9
Balance at June 30, 2011	$	399,168		$	7,389		$	406,557