Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Capital	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Unearned Employee Benefits and Other	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Common Stock in Treasury	Total Viad Equity	Non-Controlling Interest
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 384,631	$ 37,402	$ 606,038	$ (16,405)	$ (5,954)	$ 23,052	$ (266,618)	$ 377,515	$ 7,116
Net income	1,079			443				443	636
Dividends on common stock	(3,275)			(3,275)				(3,275)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(6,906)						(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 net actuarial loss	(2,109)					(2,109)		(2,109)
Amortization of prior service credit	84					84		84
Other, net	11			8	3			11
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	386,711	37,402	606,902	(19,229)	(4,433)	28,851	(270,534)	378,959	7,752
Net income	9,743			9,210				9,210	533
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 net actuarial loss	(1,777)					(1,777)		(1,777)
Amortization of prior service credit	(790)					(790)		(790)
Other, net	6		9	4	(8)		1	6
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	386,179	37,402	599,188	(13,256)	(2,951)	21,893	(264,382)	377,894	8,285
Net income	6,583			5,897				5,897	686
Dividends on common stock	(5,674)			(5,674)				(5,674)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(1,656)						(1,656)	(1,656)
Employee benefit plans	248		(9,456)				9,704	248
ESOP allocation adjustment	1,647				1,647			1,647
Share-based compensation-equity awards	4,036		4,036					4,036
Tax benefits from share-based compensation	96		96					96
Tax deficiencies from share-based compensation	96
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	7,510					7,510		7,510
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	53					53		53
Amortization of net actuarial loss	(1,311)					(1,311)		(1,311)
Amortization of prior service credit	(680)					(680)		(680)
Other, net	1		(2)	(1)	3		1	1
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 397,032	$ 37,402	$ 593,862	$ (13,034)	$ (1,301)	$ 27,465	$ (256,333)	$ 388,061	$ 8,971