Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Capital	Retained 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, 2012	$ 397,032	$ 37,402	$ 593,862	$ (13,034)	$ (1,301)	$ 27,465	$ (256,333)	$ 388,061	$ 8,971
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	21,686			21,555				21,555	131
Dividends on common stock	(58,914)			(58,914)				(58,914)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(1,328)						(1,328)	(1,328)
Employee benefit plans	778		(6,456)				7,234	778
ESOP allocation adjustment	1,280				1,280			1,280
Share-based compensation—equity awards	3,053		3,053					3,053
Tax benefits (expenses) from share-based compensation	404		404					404
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	(11,311)					(11,311)		(11,311)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	154					154		154
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	4,244					4,244		4,244
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	(535)					(535)		(535)
Other, net			(1)				1
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	356,543	37,402	590,862	(50,393)	(21)	20,017	(250,426)	347,441	9,102
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	55,567			52,354				52,354	3,213
Dividends on common stock	(38,387)			(38,387)				(38,387)
Common stock purchased for treasury	(12,321)						(12,321)	(12,321)
Employee benefit plans	4,324		(11,334)				15,658	4,324
ESOP allocation adjustment	44				44			44
Share-based compensation—equity awards	2,319		2,319					2,319
Tax benefits (expenses) from share-based compensation	217		217					217
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	(18,431)					(18,431)		(18,431)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	42					42		42
Amortization of net actuarial gain (loss)	(2,568)					(2,568)		(2,568)
Amortization of prior service (cost) credit	351					351		351
Other, net	2		2	(1)			1	2
Ending 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	(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 benefits (expenses) 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) credit	(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