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 (Loss)	Common Stock in Treasury	Total Viad Equity	Non-Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 347,702	$ 37,402	$ 582,066	$ (36,427)	$ 23	$ (589)	$ (247,088)	$ 335,387	$ 12,315
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	27,048			26,606				26,606	442
Dividends on common stock ($0.40 per share)	(8,036)			(8,036)				(8,036)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(4,816)						(4,816)	(4,816)
Employee benefit plans	4,536		(7,957)				12,493	4,536
Share-based compensation—equity awards	2,156		2,156					2,156
Tax expense from share-based compensation	360		360					360
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	(35,673)					(35,673)		(35,673)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(125)					(125)		(125)
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	2,556					2,556		2,556
Amortization of prior service cost	(345)					(345)		(345)
Other, net	(25)		(102)	(9)	86			(25)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	335,338	37,402	576,523	(17,866)	109	(34,176)	(239,411)	322,581	12,757
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	42,795			42,269				42,269	526
Dividends on common stock ($0.40 per share)	(8,111)			(8,111)				(8,111)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(722)						(722)	(722)
Employee benefit plans	3,921		(5,251)				9,172	3,921
Share-based compensation—equity awards	2,525		2,525					2,525
Tax expense from share-based compensation	95		95					95
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	(5,827)					(5,827)		(5,827)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	75					75		75
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	894					894		894
Amortization of prior service cost	(357)					(357)		(357)
Other, net	12		(51)	(1)	63		1	12
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	370,638	37,402	573,841	16,291	172	(39,391)	(230,960)	357,355	13,283
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	58,184
Net income	58,230			57,707				57,707	523
Dividends on common stock ($0.40 per share)	(8,160)			(8,160)				(8,160)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(2,119)						(2,119)	(2,119)
Employee benefit plans	4,177		(2,687)				6,864	4,177
Share-based compensation—equity awards	3,623		3,623					3,623
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	17,058					17,058		17,058
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	195					195		195
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	344					344		344
Amortization of prior service cost	(774)					(774)		(774)
Other, net	(275)		(319)	(2)	46			(275)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 442,937	$ 37,402	$ 574,458	$ 65,836	$ 218	$ (22,568)	$ (226,215)	$ 429,131	$ 13,806