Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) of Viad's Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	$ 51	$ 64
Interest cost	296	458
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	688	(1,117)
Domestic Plans | Pension Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost		61	$ 64
Interest cost	653	861	780
Expected return on plan assets	(145)	(99)	(193)
Recognized net actuarial loss	526	403	494
Net periodic benefit cost	1,034	1,226	1,145
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	1,587	1,305	(76)
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(526)	(403)	(494)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	1,061	902	(570)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	2,095	2,128	575
Domestic Plans | Postretirement Benefit Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	51	64	80
Interest cost	296	458	449
Amortization of prior service credit	(146)	(189)	(205)
Recognized net actuarial loss	18	112	405
Net periodic benefit cost	219	445	729
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	688	(1,117)	170
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(18)	(112)	(405)
Prior service credit	146	189	205
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	816	(1,040)	(30)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	1,035	(595)	699
Foreign Pension Plans
Net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost	444	405	552
Interest cost	365	397	381
Expected return on plan assets	(530)	(487)	(505)
Recognized net actuarial loss	162	127	139
Net periodic benefit cost	441	442	567
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income:
Net actuarial (gain) loss	368	605	(238)
Reversal of amortization item:
Net actuarial loss	(162)	(127)	(139)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	206	478	(377)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$ 647	$ 920	$ 190