Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 27,048	$ 55,567	$ 21,686
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax effects of $(78), $26, and $96	(125)	42	154
Unrealized foreign currency translation losses net of tax	(35,673)	(18,431)	(11,311)
Change in net actuarial gain (loss), net of tax effects of $653, $(1,538), and $2,380	2,556	(2,568)	4,244
Change in prior service credit (cost), net of tax effects of $(210), $339, and $(327)	(345)	351	(535)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(6,539)	34,961	14,238
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(442)	(3,213)	(131)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Viad	$ (6,981)	$ 31,748	$ 14,107