Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues:
Exhibition and event services	$ 726,429	$ 670,054	$ 590,444
Exhibits and environments	175,611	170,496	166,040
Travel and recreation services	123,191	101,814	88,277
Total revenues	1,025,231	942,364	844,761
Costs and expenses:
Costs of services	818,837	752,679	656,315
Costs of products sold	164,532	164,309	173,690
Corporate activities	9,408	7,682	6,422
Interest income	(593)	(779)	(584)
Interest expense	1,303	1,511	1,835
Restructuring charges	4,942	3,782	4,222
Intangible asset impairment losses			185
Other impairment losses			117
Total costs and expenses	998,429	929,184	842,202
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	26,802	13,180	2,559
Income tax expense	20,843	3,888	1,742
Income from continuing operations	5,959	9,292	817
Income from discontinued operations	624	451	262
Net income	6,583	9,743	1,079
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(686)	(533)	(636)
Net income attributable to Viad	5,897	9,210	443
Diluted income per common share
Income from continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.26	$ 0.43	$ 0.01
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.03	$ 0.02	$ 0.01
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.29	$ 0.45	$ 0.02
Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive common shares	20,005	20,055	20,277
Basic income per common share
Income from continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.26	$ 0.43	$ 0.01
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.03	$ 0.02	$ 0.01
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$ 0.29	$ 0.45	$ 0.02
Weighted-average outstanding common shares	19,701	19,719	19,955
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.28	$ 0.16	$ 0.16
Amounts attributable to Viad common stockholders
Income from continuing operations	5,273	8,759	181
Income from discontinued operations	624	451	262
Net income	$ 5,897	$ 9,210	$ 443