Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality (PRSU) 10-Q 8 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Entity Registrant Name	'VIAD CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000884219	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	20,329,341

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$120,122	$114,171
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,050 and $1,150, respectively	74,490	62,756
Inventories	37,817	35,656
Deferred income taxes	20,055	26,301
Other current assets	20,372	15,534
Total current assets	272,856	254,418
Property and equipment, net	189,600	197,298
Other investments and assets	31,368	32,416
Deferred income taxes	29,556	26,104
Goodwill	130,999	137,820
Other intangible assets, net	4,781	2,521
Total Assets	659,160	650,577
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	60,772	57,995
Other current liabilities	96,549	107,684
Current portion of capital lease obligations	909	1,347
Total current liabilities	158,230	167,026
Long-term capital lease obligations	831	879
Pension and postretirement benefits	36,591	37,812
Other deferred items and liabilities	48,816	47,828
Total liabilities	244,468	253,545
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)	'	'
Viad Corp stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, $1.50 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 24,934,981 shares issued	37,402	37,402
Additional capital	589,951	593,862
Retained earnings (deficit)	7,044	-13,034
Unearned employee benefits and other	-453	-1,301
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'
Unrealized gains on investments	392	275
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments	36,066	42,158
Unrecognized net actuarial loss and prior service credit, net	-14,877	-14,968
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 4,615,040 and 4,694,468 shares, respectively	-250,229	-256,333
Total Viad Corp stockholders' equity	405,296	388,061
Noncontrolling interest	9,396	8,971
Total stockholders' equity	414,692	397,032
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$659,160	$650,577

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$1,050	$1,150
Common stock, par value	$1.50	$1.50
Common stock, shares authorized	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	24,934,981	24,934,981
Common stock in treasury, shares	4,615,040	4,694,468

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Convention and event services	$126,744	$197,221	$538,489	$583,304
Exhibits and environments	29,742	33,083	114,571	125,985
Travel and recreation services	79,987	77,153	117,890	113,390
Total revenues	236,473	307,457	770,950	822,679
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Costs of services	184,635	238,980	613,386	653,933
Costs of products sold	31,989	34,295	114,007	118,533
Gain on sale of facility and related land	-4,775	'	-4,775	'
Corporate activities	2,034	2,036	4,007	6,000
Interest income	-122	-153	-397	-445
Interest expense	286	331	905	991
Restructuring charges	714	608	2,207	3,511
Goodwill impairment loss	4,461	'	4,461	'
Other impairment losses	952	'	952	'
Total costs and expenses	220,174	276,097	734,753	782,523
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	16,299	31,360	36,197	40,156
Income tax expense	4,557	10,304	10,605	13,084
Income from continuing operations	11,742	21,056	25,592	27,072
Income from discontinued operations	1,006	'	1,006	639
Net income	12,748	21,056	26,598	27,711
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-893	-1,080	-425	-618
Net income	11,855	19,976	26,173	27,093
Diluted income per common share	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$0.53	$0.99	$1.24	$1.31
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$0.05	'	$0.05	$0.03
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$0.58	$0.99	$1.29	$1.34
Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive common shares	20,191	20,017	20,188	19,993
Basic income per common share	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$0.53	$0.99	$1.24	$1.31
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Viad common stockholders	$0.05	'	$0.05	$0.03
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$0.58	$0.99	$1.29	$1.34
Weighted-average outstanding common shares	19,868	19,721	19,839	19,694
Dividends declared per common share	$0.10	$0.10	$0.30	$0.18
Amounts attributable to Viad common stockholders	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	10,849	19,976	25,167	26,454
Income from discontinued operations	1,006	'	1,006	639
Net income	$11,855	$19,976	$26,173	$27,093

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$12,748	$21,056	$26,598	$27,711
Other comprehensive (loss) income:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains on investments, net of tax	62	15	117	66
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	5,331	6,229	-6,092	7,225
Amortization of net actuarial loss, net of tax	150	132	511	481
Amortization of prior service credit, net of tax	-140	-172	-420	-516
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	5,403	6,204	-5,884	7,256
Comprehensive income	18,151	27,260	20,714	34,967
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-893	-1,080	-425	-618
Comprehensive income attributable to Viad	$17,258	$26,180	$20,289	$34,349

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$26,598	$27,711
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	21,777	23,560
Deferred income taxes	1,775	-4,242
Income from discontinued operations	-1,006	-639
Restructuring charges	2,207	3,511
Impairment losses	5,413	'
Gain on sale of facility and related land	-4,775	'
Gains on disposition of property and other assets	-223	-156
Share-based compensation expense	3,569	4,524
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation arrangements	-389	-269
Other non-cash items, net	3,603	3,646
Change in operating assets and liabilities (excluding the impact of acquisitions):	'	'
Receivables	-12,173	-24,342
Inventories	-2,161	-2,238
Accounts payable	4,704	26,272
Restructuring liabilities	-3,771	-2,761
Accrued compensation	-8,768	5,783
Customer deposits	-5,806	-1,994
Income taxes payable	2,115	8,185
Other assets and liabilities, net	-5,356	2,255
Net cash provided by operating activities	27,333	68,806
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-26,927	-19,912
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	-647	-23,546
Proceeds from sale of facility and related land	12,696	'
Proceeds from dispositions of property and other assets	422	194
Proceeds from sale of land - discontinued operations	1,645	1,041
Net cash used in investing activities	-12,811	-42,223
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Payments on debt and capital lease obligations	-1,027	-2,308
Dividends paid on common stock	-6,095	-2,429
Common stock purchased for treasury	-1,294	-1,038
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation arrangements	389	269
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	540	90
Net cash used in financing activities	-7,487	-5,416
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,084	2,686
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	5,951	23,853
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	114,171	100,376
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	120,122	124,229
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information	'	'
Cash paid for income taxes	6,956	7,202
Cash paid for interest	633	855
Property and equipment acquired under capital leases	591	690
Property and equipment purchases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$2,895	$5,078

Basis_of_Preparation_and_Princ

Basis of Preparation and Principles of Consolidation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Preparation and Principles of Consolidation	'
	Note 1. Basis of Preparation and Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements of Viad Corp (“Viad” or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013.
	For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related footnotes for the year ended December 31, 2012, included in the Company’s Form 10-K (File No. 001-11015), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2013.
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Viad and all of its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany account balances and transactions between Viad and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. Viad’s reporting segments consist of Marketing & Events U.S., Marketing & Events International and Travel & Recreation Group.
	The Marketing & Events Group, comprised of Global Experience Specialists, Inc. and affiliates (“GES”), specializes in all aspects of the design, planning and production of face-to-face events, immersive environments and brand-based experiences for clients, including show organizers, corporate brand marketers and retail shopping centers. In addition, the Marketing & Events Group provides a variety of immersive, entertaining attractions and brand-based experiences, sponsored events, mobile marketing and other branded entertainment and face-to-face marketing solutions for clients and venues, including shopping malls, movie studios, museums and leading consumer brands.
	The Travel & Recreation Group segment consists of Brewster Inc. (“Brewster”), Glacier Park, Inc. (“Glacier Park”) and Alaskan Park Properties, Inc. (“Alaska Denali Travel”). Brewster provides tourism services in the Canadian Rockies in Alberta and in other parts of Western Canada. Brewster’s operations include the Banff Gondola, Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure, motorcoach services, charter and sightseeing services, tour boat operations, inbound package tour operations and hotel operations. Glacier Park, an 80 percent owned subsidiary of Viad, currently operates five lodges, three motor inns and one four-season resort hotel and provides food and beverage operations, retail operations and tour and transportation services in and around Glacier National Park in Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada. As discussed in Note 3 below, Glacier Park’s concession portion of its business with the U.S. National Park Service (the “Park Service”) for Glacier National Park expires on December 31, 2013. Thereafter, the ongoing operations of Glacier Park will include: Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier, Montana; Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish, Montana; St. Mary Lodge in St. Mary, Montana; Stewart Motel, an in-holding within Glacier National Park and the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada. Alaska Denali Travel operates the Denali Backcountry Lodge and Denali Cabins. In addition to lodging, Alaska Denali Travel also provides food and beverage operations and package tour and transportation services in and around Denali National Park and Preserve.

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Share-Based Compensation	'
	Note 2. Share-Based Compensation
	The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense:
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Restricted stock	$	802		$	890		$	2,522		$	2,610
	Performance unit incentive plan (“PUP”)		347			548			871			1,220
	Stock options		3			148			104			450
	Restricted stock units		50			84			72			244
	Total share-based compensation before income tax benefit		1,202			1,670			3,569			4,524
	Income tax benefit		(445	)		(571	)		(1,326	)		(1,606	)
	Total share-based compensation, net of income tax benefit	$	757		$	1,099		$	2,243		$	2,918
	In addition, $253,000 of share-based compensation costs were included in restructuring charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, including $94,000 related to the PUP awards presented below.
	The following table summarizes the activity of the outstanding share-based compensation awards:
		Restricted Stock						Restricted Stock Units						PUP Awards
					Weighted-						Weighted-						Weighted-
					Average						Average						Average
					Grant Date						Grant Date						Grant Date
		Shares			Fair Value			Units			Fair Value			Units			Fair Value
	Balance at January 1, 2013		516,351		$	21.25			40,500		$	20.82			210,600		$	21.7
	Granted		101,300			27.28			8,600			27.35			93,100			27.35
	Vested		(161,186	)		20.74			(11,300	)		19.1			—			—
	Forfeited		(5,966	)		23.07			(8,840	)		22.33			(432	)		20.6
	Balance at September 30, 2013		450,499			22.76			28,960			22.98			303,268			23.43
	The unamortized cost of all outstanding restricted stock awards as of September 30, 2013 was $4.1 million, which Viad expects to recognize in the consolidated financial statements over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.9 years. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company repurchased 48,937 shares for $1.3 million and 53,019 shares for $1.0 million, respectively, related to tax withholding requirements on vested share-based awards. As of September 30, 2013, there were 1,005,372 total shares available for future grant.
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Viad had liabilities recorded of $405,000 and $633,000, respectively, related to restricted stock unit liability awards. Portions of the 2009 and 2010 restricted stock unit awards vested in February 2013 and February 2012 and cash payouts of $300,000 and $257,000 were distributed in February 2013 and 2012, respectively. In addition, a portion of the 2009 performance-based restricted stock unit awards vested effective December 31, 2009 and cash payouts of $35,000 were distributed in January 2012.
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Viad had liabilities recorded of $4.6 million and $3.7 million, respectively, related to PUP awards. There were no PUP awards which vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012. Furthermore, there were no cash settlements of PUP awards during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.
	The following table summarizes stock option activity:
					Weighted-
					Average			Options
		Shares			Exercise Price			Exercisable
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2013		363,896		$	22.03			276,009
	Exercised		(47,343	)		19.48
	Forfeited or expired		(27,419	)		28.22
	Options outstanding at September 30, 2013		289,134			21.87			287,134
	The total unrecognized cost related to non-vested stock option awards was $3,000 as of September 30, 2013, which Viad expects to recognize in the consolidated financial statements over a weighted-average period of less than one year. No stock options were granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Impairment_Losses

Impairment Losses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Impairment Losses	'
	Note 3. Impairment Losses
	In August 2013, Viad was notified by the Park Service that the concession contract for Glacier National Park, commencing in 2014, was awarded to another concessionaire. As a result, management revised its outlook for future revenues and earnings from Glacier Park and performed a preliminary interim impairment evaluation of goodwill at the Glacier Park reporting unit. Based on this preliminary evaluation, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $4.5 million representing all goodwill at the Glacier Park reporting unit, of which $892,000 related to the noncontrolling interest. The goodwill impairment loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations under the caption, “Goodwill impairment loss.” Management intends to finalize the impairment evaluation during the fourth quarter of 2013, which could result in adjustments to the amount initially recorded.
	Viad uses a discounted expected future cash flow methodology (income approach) in order to estimate the fair value of its reporting units for purposes of goodwill impairment testing. The estimates and assumptions regarding expected future cash flows, discount rates and terminal values require considerable judgment and are based on market conditions, financial forecasts, industry trends and historical experience. These estimates, however, have inherent uncertainties and different assumptions could lead to different results.
	Also in the third quarter of 2013, Viad recorded other asset impairment charges of $952,000 at the Marketing & Events Group related to the write off of a touring exhibition asset and amounts capitalized for internally developed software that is not anticipated to be put into use. These impairment losses are included in the consolidated statements of operations under the caption, “Other impairment losses.”

Acquisition_of_Businesses

Acquisition of Businesses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisition of Businesses	'
	Note 4. Acquisition of Businesses
	On February 19, 2013, Viad acquired the assets of Resource Creative Limited (“RCL”) for $647,000 in cash, subject to certain adjustments, plus a deferred payment of up to approximately $278,000, which is contingent upon RCL’s performance. RCL is a United Kingdom-based company specializing in providing creative graphic services to the exhibition, events and retail markets throughout the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
	The final amounts assigned to the assets of RCL as of the acquisition date included: property and equipment of $72,000, goodwill of $158,000 and other intangible assets of $695,000. In addition, a liability of $278,000 was recorded as of the acquisition date related to the contingent consideration. The primary factor that contributed to a purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill relates to future growth opportunities. The goodwill is deductible for tax purposes over a period of 15 years. The amounts assigned to other intangible assets included: $564,000 of customer relationships and $131,000 of noncompete agreements. The weighted-average amortization period related to the other intangible assets was 4.5 years. The transaction costs related to the acquisition were insignificant. The results of operations of RCL have been included in Viad’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.
	In March 2012, Viad acquired the Banff International Hotel and related assets for $23.6 million in cash. The Banff International Hotel is a 162-guest room hotel located in downtown Banff, Alberta, Canada and is operated by Brewster within the Travel & Recreation Group. The following information represents the final amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities of the Banff International Hotel as of the date of acquisition:
		(in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	10
	Accounts receivable		23
	Other current assets		33
	Property and equipment		20,408
	Goodwill		1,890
	Other intangible assets		1,323
	Total assets acquired		23,687
	Customer deposits		(64	)
	Other current liabilities		(67	)
	Total liabilities acquired		(131	)
	Purchase price	$	23,556
	The goodwill recorded in connection with the transaction is included in the Travel & Recreation Group. The primary factor that contributed to a purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill relates to future growth opportunities. The goodwill is deductible for tax purposes pursuant to regulations in Canada. The amount assigned to other intangible assets relates to an operating contract and customer relationships. The weighted-average amortization period related to the other intangible assets was 7.7 years. The transaction costs related to the acquisition were insignificant. The results of operations of the Banff International Hotel have been included in Viad’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.
	The following table summarizes the unaudited pro forma results of operations attributable to Viad assuming that the acquisitions above had each been completed at the beginning of each period:
		Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012		2013		2012
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Revenues	$	236,473		$	307,802	$	771,197	$	823,842
	Depreciation and amortization		7,439			8,560		21,818		23,862
	Segment operating income		24,624			34,110		48,346		49,931
	Net income attributable to Viad		11,855			19,932		26,182		26,916
	Diluted net income per share		0.58			0.98		1.29		1.33
	Basic net income per share		0.58			0.98		1.29		1.33

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Note 5. Inventories
	The components of inventories were as follows:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Raw materials	$	14,792	$	16,422
	Work in process		23,025		19,234
	Inventories	$	37,817	$	35,656

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	Note 6. Property and Equipment
	During the three months ended September 30, 2013, Viad sold a facility and the land upon which it was situated within the Marketing & Events Group for $12.7 million (net of selling costs). Viad recorded a gain on the sale of the facility and related land of $4.8 million.
	Property and equipment consisted of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Land and land interests	$	23,951		$	26,124
	Buildings and leasehold improvements		137,932			137,293
	Equipment and other		308,836			310,448
			470,719			473,865
	Accumulated depreciation		(281,119	)		(276,567	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	189,600		$	197,298
	Depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, was $7.1 million and $8.4 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, was $20.8 million and $23.1 million, respectively.

Other_Investments_and_Assets

Other Investments and Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]	'
Other Investments and Assets	'
	Note 7. Other Investments and Assets
	Other investments and assets consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Cash surrender value of life insurance	$	19,290	$	19,142
	Workers’ compensation insurance security deposits		3,350		3,350
	Other		8,728		9,924
	Total other investments and assets	$	31,368	$	32,416

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Note 8. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	As discussed in Note 3 above, Viad recorded a goodwill impairment loss of $4.5 million related to Glacier Park during the three months ended September 30, 2013, of which $892,000 related to the noncontrolling interest.
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, were as follows:
				Marketing &
		Marketing &		Events			Travel &
		Events U.S.		International			Recreation Group			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	62,686	$	23,054		$	52,080		$	137,820
	Goodwill impairment loss		—		—			(4,461	)		(4,461	)
	Business acquisition		—		158			—			158
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		—		(622	)		(1,896	)		(2,518	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	62,686	$	22,590		$	45,723		$	130,999
	The following table summarizes goodwill by reporting unit and segment:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Marketing & Events Group:
	Marketing & Events U.S.	$	62,686	$	62,686
	Marketing & Events International:
	GES United Kingdom		13,766		13,894
	GES Canada		8,824		9,160
	Total Marketing & Events Group		85,276		85,740
	Travel & Recreation Group:
	Brewster		42,539		44,435
	Alaska Denali Travel		3,184		3,184
	Glacier Park		—		4,461
	Total Travel & Recreation Group		45,723		52,080
	Total goodwill	$	130,999	$	137,820
	A summary of other intangible assets as of September 30, 2013, is presented below:
		Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Carrying					Carrying
		Value		Amortization			Value
		(in thousands)
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Contracts and customer relationships	$	5,483	$	(2,238	)	$	3,245
	Other		1,312		(236	)		1,076
			6,795		(2,474	)		4,321
	Unamortized intangible assets:
	Business licenses		460		—			460
	Total	$	7,255	$	(2,474	)	$	4,781
	A summary of other intangible assets as of December 31, 2012 is presented below:
		Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Carrying					Carrying
		Value		Amortization			Value
		(in thousands)
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Contracts and customer relationships	$	3,594	$	(2,384	)	$	1,210
	Other		959		(108	)		851
			4,553		(2,492	)		2,061
	Unamortized intangible assets:
	Business licenses		460		—			460
	Total	$	5,013	$	(2,492	)	$	2,521
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Viad recorded a contract-related intangible asset of $2.1 million in connection with a preferred supplier agreement. Intangible asset amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, was $318,000 and $187,000, respectively, and $930,000 and $508,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Estimated amortization expense related to amortized intangible assets for future periods is expected to be as follows:
		(in thousands)
	2013	$	325
	2014		992
	2015		791
	2016		667
	2017		549
	Thereafter		997

Accrued_Liabilities_and_Other

Accrued Liabilities and Other	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liabilities and Other	'
	Note 9. Accrued Liabilities and Other
	Other current liabilities consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Continuing operations:
	Customer deposits	$	44,366	$	50,172
	Accrued compensation		18,797		25,067
	Self-insured liability accrual		7,466		8,501
	Accrued foreign income taxes		3,616		28
	Other taxes		3,254		1,325
	Accrued employee benefit costs		3,038		3,132
	Accrued restructuring		2,114		4,084
	Accrued dividends		2,068		2,053
	Accrued sales and use taxes		1,247		3,179
	Other		9,489		8,673
			95,455		106,214
	Discontinued operations:
	Self-insured liability accrual		520		527
	Environmental remediation liabilities		398		571
	Other		176		372
			1,094		1,470
	Total other current liabilities	$	96,549	$	107,684
	Other deferred items and liabilities consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Continuing operations:
	Self-insured liability accrual	$	17,326	$	15,579
	Accrued compensation		6,506		8,061
	Accrued restructuring		3,546		3,140
	Foreign deferred tax liability		1,970		2,024
	Other		7,491		6,734
			36,839		35,538
	Discontinued operations:
	Self-insured liability accrual		4,913		5,188
	Environmental remediation liabilities		4,723		4,745
	Accrued income taxes		1,077		1,053
	Other		1,264		1,304
			11,977		12,290
	Total other deferred items and liabilities	$	48,816	$	47,828

Debt_and_Capital_Leases

Debt and Capital Leases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt and Capital Leases	'
	Note 10. Debt and Capital Leases
	In May 2011, Viad entered into an amended and restated revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility provides for a $130 million revolving line of credit, which may be increased up to an additional $50 million under certain circumstances. The term of the Credit Facility is five years (expiring on May 18, 2016) and borrowings are to be used for general corporate purposes (including permitted acquisitions) and to support up to $50 million of letters of credit. The lenders have a first perfected security interest in all of the personal property of Viad and GES, including 65 percent of the capital stock of top-tier foreign subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Viad’s total debt of $1.7 million and $2.2 million, respectively, consisted entirely of capital lease obligations. As of September 30, 2013, Viad had $128.2 million of capacity remaining under the Credit Facility reflecting outstanding letters of credit of $1.8 million.
	Borrowings under the Credit Facility (of which GES is a guarantor) are indexed to the prime rate or the London Interbank Offered Rate, plus appropriate spreads tied to Viad’s leverage ratio. Commitment fees and letters of credit fees are also tied to Viad’s leverage ratio. The fees on the unused portion of the Credit Facility are currently 0.35 percent annually.
	The Credit Facility contains various affirmative and negative covenants that are customary for facilities of this type, including a fixed-charge coverage ratio, leverage ratio, minimum cash balance, dividend limits and share repurchase restrictions. Significant other covenants include limitations on: investments, additional indebtedness, sales/leases of assets, acquisitions, consolidations or mergers and liens on property. As of September 30, 2013, Viad was in compliance with all covenants.
	In December 2012, the Credit Facility was amended to remove the limitation on share repurchases of $10 million in the aggregate per calendar year pursuant to certain conditions. The amendment allows share repurchases unless the Company’s leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Facility, is greater than 1.50 to 1.00 or a default or an unmatured default, as defined in the Credit Facility, exists immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to such share repurchases. The amendment also allows dividends to be declared and paid in excess of $10 million in the aggregate per calendar year, as well as distributions on its capital stock, as defined in the Credit Facility, unless the Company’s leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Facility, is greater than 1.50 to 1.00 or a default or an unmatured default, as defined in the Credit Facility, exists immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect to such distributions.
	The estimated fair value of total debt was $1.7 million and $2.1 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The fair value of debt was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates currently available for debt of similar terms and maturity.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Note 11. Stockholders’ Equity
	The following represents a reconciliation of the carrying amounts of stockholders’ equity attributable to Viad and the noncontrolling interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
			Total Viad						Total
			Stockholders’			Noncontrolling			Stockholders’
			Equity			Interest			Equity
						(in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013		$	388,061		$	8,971		$	397,032
	Net income			26,173			425			26,598
	Dividends on common stock			(6,095	)		—			(6,095	)
	Common stock purchased for treasury			(1,294	)		—			(1,294	)
	Employee benefit plans			3,485			—			3,485
	Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment			(6,092	)		—			(6,092	)
	Unrealized gain on investments			117			—			117
	Prior service credit and net actuarial loss			91			—			91
	ESOP allocation adjustment			850			—			850
	Balance at September 30, 2013		$	405,296		$	9,396		$	414,692
	The following represents a reconciliation of the carrying amounts of stockholders’ equity attributable to Viad and the noncontrolling interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2012:
			Total Viad						Total
			Stockholders’			Noncontrolling			Stockholders’
			Equity			Interest			Equity
						(in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2012		$	377,894		$	8,285		$	386,179
	Net income			27,093			618			27,711
	Dividends on common stock			(3,649	)		—			(3,649	)
	Common stock purchased for treasury			(1,038	)		—			(1,038	)
	Employee benefit plans			3,370			—			3,370
	Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment			7,225			—			7,225
	Unrealized gain on investments			66			—			66
	Prior service credit and net actuarial loss			(35	)		—			(35	)
	ESOP allocation adjustment			1,150			—			1,150
	Other			1			(1	)		—
	Balance at September 30, 2012		$	412,077		$	8,902		$	420,979
	In December 2012, Viad announced its intent to repurchase up to an additional one million shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices. At the time of the announcement, there were 30,438 shares available for repurchase pursuant to previously announced authorizations. No shares were repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012. As of September 30, 2013, 1,030,438 shares were available for repurchase. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company repurchased 48,937 shares for $1.3 million and 53,019 shares for $1.0 million pursuant to separate authority, respectively, related to tax withholding requirements on share-based awards.
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component were as follows:
						Cumulative			Unrecognized
						Foreign			Net Actuarial			Accumulated
			Unrealized			Currency			Loss and			Other
			Gains on			Translation			Prior Service			Comprehensive
			Investments			Adjustments			Credit			Income
			(in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013		$	275		$	42,158		$	(14,968	)	$	27,465
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			162			(6,092	)		—			(5,930	)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax			(45	)		—			91			46
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)			117			(6,092	)		91			(5,884	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013		$	392		$	36,066		$	(14,877	)	$	21,581
	The following table presents information about reclassification adjustments out of AOCI for the nine months ended September 30:
									Affected Line
									Item in the
									Statement Where
									Net Income is
			2013			2012			Presented
			(in thousands)
	Unrealized gain on investments		$	(72	)	$	(45	)	Interest income
	Tax effect			27			16		Income tax expense
			$	(45	)	$	(29	)	Net of tax
	Recognized net actuarial loss		$	827		$	778		See (1) below
	Amortization of prior service credit			(680	)		(835	)	See (1) below
	Tax effect			(56	)		(21	)	Income tax benefit
			$	91		$	(78	)	Net of tax
	-1	Amount is included in pension expense. See Note 15 for additional information.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Note 12. Fair Value Measurements
	The fair value of an asset or liability is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value guidance requires an entity to maximize the use of quoted prices and other observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value, and also establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value as follows:
	Level 1 –	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 –	Observable inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
	Level 3 –	Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of fair value.
	Viad measures its money market mutual funds and certain other mutual fund investments at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 1 inputs. The fair value information related to these assets is summarized in the following table:
					Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013 Using
	Description		September 30,		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
			2013		in Active		Other		Unobserved
					Markets		Observable		Inputs
					(Level 1)		Inputs		(Level 3)
							(Level 2)
			(in thousands)
	Money market funds		$	16,680	$	16,680	$	—	$	—
	Other mutual funds			1,289		1,289		—		—
	Total		$	17,969	$	17,969	$	—	$	—
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Viad had investments in money market mutual funds of $16.7 million and $10.2 million, respectively, which are included in the consolidated balance sheets under the caption “Cash and cash equivalents.” These investments were classified as available-for-sale and were recorded at fair value. There have been no realized or unrealized gains or losses related to these investments and the Company has not experienced any redemption restrictions with respect to any of the money market mutual funds.
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Viad had investments in other mutual funds of $1.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively, which were classified in the consolidated balance sheets under the caption “Other investments and assets.” These investments were classified as available-for-sale and were recorded at fair value. As of September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, there were unrealized gains on the investments of $641,000 ($392,000 after-tax) and $450,000 ($275,000 after-tax), respectively, which were included in the consolidated balance sheets under the caption “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).”
	The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and contingent considerations approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The estimated fair value of debt obligations is disclosed in Note 10.
	During the third quarter of 2013, Viad had certain non-financial assets that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis using Level 3 inputs. These assets include goodwill and certain property and equipment for which impairment losses were recorded during the third quarter of 2013. The fair value information related to these assets is summarized in the following table:
					Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013 Using
	Description		September 30,		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant		Total
			2013		in Active		Other		Unobserved		Gains
					Markets (Level 1)		Observable		Inputs		(Losses)
							Inputs		(Level 3)
							(Level 2)
			(in thousands)
	Goodwill(1)		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(4,461	)
	Property and equipment(1)			—		—		—		—		(952	)
	Total		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(5,413	)
	(1)	See Note 3 for details of the impairment losses.

Income_Per_Share

Income Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Income Per Share	'
	Note 13. Income Per Share
	The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted per share computations for net income attributable to Viad:
			Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
			(in thousands, except per share data)
	Basic net income per share
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Viad		$	11,855		$	19,976		$	26,173		$	27,093
	Less: Allocation to non-vested shares			(264	)		(532	)		(605	)		(735	)
	Net income allocated to Viad common stockholders		$	11,591		$	19,444		$	25,568		$	26,358
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average outstanding common shares			19,868			19,721			19,839			19,694
	Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders		$	0.58		$	0.99		$	1.29		$	1.34
	Diluted net income per share
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Viad		$	11,855		$	19,976		$	26,173		$	27,093
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average outstanding common shares			19,868			19,721			19,839			19,694
	Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation			323			296			349			299
	Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive shares			20,191			20,017			20,188			19,993
	Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders (1)		$	0.58		$	0.99		$	1.29		$	1.34
	-1	Diluted income per share cannot exceed basic income per share.
	Options to purchase 47,000 and 436,000 shares of common stock were outstanding during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, but were not included in the computation of dilutive shares outstanding because the effect would be anti-dilutive. Additionally, 323,000 and 296,000 share-based compensation awards were considered dilutive and included in the computation of diluted income per share during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, 349,000 and 299,000 share-based compensation awards were considered dilutive and included in the computation of diluted income per share, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note 14. Income Taxes
	The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were 29.3 percent and 32.6 percent, respectively. The income tax provisions were computed based on the Company’s estimated effective tax rate and forecasted income by jurisdiction expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year, including the impact of any unusual or infrequent items. The relatively low effective tax rates compared to the federal statutory rate of 35 percent were primarily due to foreign income which is taxed at lower rates.
	Viad is required to estimate and record provisions for income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Accordingly, the Company must estimate its actual current income tax liability and assess temporary differences arising from the treatment of items for tax purposes as compared to the treatment for accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities which are included in Viad’s consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Viad had gross deferred tax assets of $73.4 million and $77.2 million, respectively. These deferred tax assets reflect the expected future tax benefits to be realized upon reversal of deductible temporary differences and the utilization of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.
	The Company considered all available positive and negative evidence regarding the future recoverability of its deferred tax assets, including the Company’s recent operating history, taxpaying history and future reversals of deferred tax liabilities. The Company also evaluated its ability to utilize its foreign tax credits, given its recent utilization history. These tax credits are subject to a 10-year carryforward period and begin to expire in 2019. Based on the Company’s assessment, it was determined during the fourth quarter of 2012 that the weight of the evidence indicated that certain deferred tax assets associated with foreign tax credit carryforwards no longer met the more-likely-than-not test regarding the realization of those assets. As of September 30, 2013, the weight of the evidence with respect to the foreign tax credit has not changed. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Viad had a valuation allowance of $14.7 million and $14.6 million, respectively, related to certain federal, state and foreign deferred tax assets. With respect to all other deferred tax assets, management believes that recovery from future taxable income is more-likely-than-not.
	As noted above, Viad uses considerable judgment in forming a conclusion regarding the recoverability of its deferred tax assets. As a result, there are inherent uncertainties regarding the ultimate realization of these assets, which is primarily dependent upon Viad’s ability to generate sufficient taxable income in future periods. In future periods, it is reasonably possible that the relative weight of positive and negative evidence regarding the recoverability of Viad’s deferred tax assets may change, which could result in a material increase in the Company’s valuation allowance. If such an increase in the valuation allowance were to occur, it would result in increased income tax expense in the period the assessment was made.
	Viad had accrued gross liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions for discontinued operations of $636,000 as of both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. In addition, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Viad had accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions for discontinued operations of $441,000 and $418,000, respectively. Future tax resolutions or settlements that may occur related to these uncertain tax positions would be recorded through discontinued operations (net of federal tax effects, if applicable). Viad does not expect any of the unrecognized tax benefits to be recognized during the next 12 months. As of both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions (including interest and penalties) of $1.1 million were classified as non-current liabilities.

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben

Pension and Postretirement Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension and Postretirement Benefits	'
	Note 15. Pension and Postretirement Benefits
	The net periodic benefit cost of Viad’s pension and postretirement benefit plans for the three months ended September 30 included the following components:
		Domestic Plans
		Pension Plans						Postretirement						Foreign
								Benefit Plans						Pension Plans
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Service cost	$	—		$	24		$	25		$	31		$	134		$	123
	Interest cost		251			276			152			187			175			186
	Expected return on plan assets		(100	)		(84	)		—			(15	)		(175	)		(157	)
	Amortization of prior service credit		—			—			(227	)		(278	)		—			—
	Recognized net actuarial loss		129			110			106			101			10			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	280		$	326		$	56		$	26		$	144		$	152
	The net periodic benefit cost of Viad’s pension and postretirement benefit plans for the nine months ended September 30 included the following components:
		Domestic Plans
		Pension Plans						Postretirement						Foreign
								Benefit Plans						Pension Plans
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Service cost	$	60		$	78		$	117		$	110		$	405		$	368
	Interest cost		773			863			498			611			531			552
	Expected return on plan assets		(300	)		(305	)		—			(56	)		(530	)		(467	)
	Amortization of prior service credit		—			—			(677	)		(835	)		—			—
	Recognized net actuarial loss		427			368			388			410			30			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	960		$	1,004		$	326		$	240		$	436		$	453
	Viad expects to contribute $2.6 million to its funded pension plans, $1.1 million to its unfunded pension plans and $400,000 to its postretirement benefit plans in 2013. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Viad contributed $2.3 million to its funded pension plans, $665,000 to its unfunded pension plans and $64,000 to its postretirement benefit plans.

Restructuring_Charges

Restructuring Charges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring Charges	'
	Note 16. Restructuring Charges
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Viad recorded net restructuring charges of $2.2 million primarily related to facility consolidations and the elimination of certain positions in the Marketing & Events Group. The amounts included in the restructuring liability as of September 30, 2013, related to future lease obligations which will be paid over the remaining lease terms, and severance and employee benefits that are expected to be paid by the end of 2013. The table below represents a reconciliation of Viad’s restructuring liability by major restructuring activity:
		Marketing & Events
		Group Consolidation						Other Restructurings
		Severance &						Severance &
		Employee						Employee
		Benefits			Facilities			Benefits			Facilities			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	720		$	5,571		$	—		$	933		$	7,224
	Restructuring charges, net		1,890			872			137			(692	)		2,207
	Cash payments		(1,434	)		(2,034	)		(62	)		(241	)		(3,771	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	1,176		$	4,409		$	75		$	—		$	5,660

Litigation_Claims_Contingencie

Litigation, Claims, Contingencies and Other	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Litigation, Claims, Contingencies and Other	'
	Note 17. Litigation, Claims, Contingencies and Other
	Viad and certain of its subsidiaries are plaintiffs or defendants to various actions, proceedings and pending claims, some of which involve, or may involve, compensatory, punitive or other damages. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties and it is possible that some of the legal actions, proceedings or claims could be decided against Viad. Although the amount of liability as of September 30, 2013, with respect to certain of these matters is not ascertainable, Viad believes that any resulting liability, after taking into consideration amounts already provided for, including insurance coverage, will not have a material impact on the Company’s business, financial position or results of operations.
	Viad is subject to various U.S. federal, state and foreign laws and regulations governing the prevention of pollution and the protection of the environment in the jurisdictions in which Viad has or had operations. If the Company has failed to comply with these environmental laws and regulations, civil and criminal penalties could be imposed and Viad could become subject to regulatory enforcement actions in the form of injunctions and cease and desist orders. As is the case with many companies, Viad also faces exposure to actual or potential claims and lawsuits involving environmental matters relating to its past operations. Although it is a party to certain environmental disputes, Viad believes that any resulting liabilities, after taking into consideration amounts already provided for, including insurance coverage, will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. As of September 30, 2013, there was a remaining environmental remediation liability of $5.1 million related to previously sold operations of which $398,000 was included in the consolidated balance sheets under the caption “Other current liabilities” and $4.7 million under the caption “Other deferred items and liabilities.”
	As of September 30, 2013, Viad had certain obligations under guarantees to third parties on behalf of its subsidiaries. These guarantees are not subject to liability recognition in the consolidated financial statements and relate to leased facilities entered into by Viad’s subsidiary operations. The Company would generally be required to make payments to the respective third parties under these guarantees in the event that the related subsidiary could not meet its own payment obligations. The maximum potential amount of future payments that Viad would be required to make under all guarantees existing as of September 30, 2013, would be $15.5 million. These guarantees relate to leased facilities expiring through October 2017. There are no recourse provisions that would enable Viad to recover from third parties any payments made under the guarantees. Furthermore, there are no collateral or similar arrangements whereby Viad could recover payments.
	Viad’s businesses contribute to various multi-employer pension plans based on obligations arising under collective-bargaining agreements covering its union-represented employees. Based upon the information available to Viad from plan administrators, management believes that several of these multi-employer plans are underfunded. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 requires pension plans underfunded at certain levels to reduce, over defined time periods, the underfunded status. In addition, under current laws, the termination of a plan, or a voluntary withdrawal from a plan by Viad, or a shrinking contribution base to a plan as a result of the insolvency or withdrawal of other contributing employers to such plan, would require Viad to make payments to such plan for its proportionate share of the plan’s unfunded vested liabilities. As of September 30, 2013, the amount of additional funding, if any, that Viad would be required to make related to multi-employer pension plans is not ascertainable.
	Glacier Park currently operates the concession portion of its business under a concession contract with the Park Service for Glacier National Park. In August 2013, the Company announced that its contract with the Park Service will end on December 31, 2013. Upon completion of the contract term, the Company will be entitled to cash payments totaling $25 million for its “possessory interest,” which generally means the value of the structures acquired or constructed, fixtures installed and improvements made to the concession property during the term of the contract. The cash payments associated with the possessory interest will be recorded when received. The Company will also be entitled to an estimated $5 million for the personal property used at the facilities covered by the concession contract. Glacier Park generated approximately 49 percent of its 2012 revenues through its concession contract for services provided within Glacier National Park.
	Following the expiration of the concession contract on December 31, 2013, the ongoing Glacier Park business will include: Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier, Montana; Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish, Montana; St. Mary Lodge in St. Mary, Montana; Stewart Motel, an in-holding within Glacier National Park adjacent to Lake McDonald Lodge, and the Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada, which Glacier Park owns. The Prince of Wales Hotel is situated on land for which the Company has a 42-year ground lease with the Canadian government running through January 31, 2052. Glacier Park generated 24 percent of the Travel & Recreation Group’s 2012 segment operating income.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Note 18. Segment Information
	Viad measures profit and performance of its operations on the basis of segment operating income, which excludes restructuring charges and recoveries and impairment charges and recoveries. For the purpose of discussing segment operations, Viad refers to segment operating income as calculated by subtracting segment direct expenses from segment revenues. Intersegment sales are eliminated in consolidation and intersegment transfers are not significant. Corporate activities include expenses not allocated to operations. Depreciation and amortization and share-based compensation expense are the only significant non-cash items for the reportable segments.
	Disclosures regarding Viad’s reportable segments with reconciliations to consolidated totals are as follows:
			Three months ended						Nine months ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Revenues:
	Marketing & Events Group:
	U.S.		$	120,503		$	168,395		$	494,355		$	540,741
	International			40,335			67,780			168,974			180,217
	Intersegment eliminations			(4,352	)		(5,871	)		(10,269	)		(11,669	)
				156,486			230,304			653,060			709,289
	Travel & Recreation Group			79,987			77,153			117,890			113,390
			$	236,473		$	307,457		$	770,950		$	822,679
	Segment operating income (loss):
	Marketing & Events Group:
	U.S. (1)		$	(3,745	)	$	(585	)	$	12,971		$	12,235
	International			(4,159	)		3,432			5,821			9,637
				(7,904	)		2,847			18,792			21,872
	Travel & Recreation Group			32,528			31,335			29,540			28,341
				24,624			34,182			48,332			50,213
	Corporate activities			(2,034	)		(2,036	)		(4,007	)		(6,000	)
				22,590			32,146			44,325			44,213
	Interest income			122			153			397			445
	Interest expense			(286	)		(331	)		(905	)		(991	)
	Restructuring charges:
	Marketing & Events U.S.			(185	)		(392	)		(309	)		(2,879	)
	Marketing & Events International			(434	)		(216	)		(1,761	)		(619	)
	Travel & Recreation Group			(77	)		—			(90	)		—
	Corporate			(18	)		—			(47	)		(13	)
	Impairment losses:
	Marketing & Events U.S.			(658	)		—			(658	)		—
	Marketing & Events International			(294	)		—			(294	)		—
	Travel & Recreation Group			(4,461	)		—			(4,461	)		—
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes		$	16,299		$	31,360		$	36,197		$	40,156
	-1	Includes a gain on the sale of a facility and related land of $4.8 million which was recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2013
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Assets:
	Marketing & Events U.S.		$	210,836		$	203,145
	Marketing & Events International			88,996			100,387
	Travel & Recreation Group			247,948			223,199
	Corporate and other			111,380			123,846
			$	659,160		$	650,577

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	Note 19. Discontinued Operations
	In July 2013, Viad completed the sale of certain land located in Utah associated with previously sold operations for $1.0 million (net of tax). The sale transaction was recorded in discontinued operations in the third quarter of 2013. In June 2012, Viad recorded income from discontinued operations of $639,000 related to the sale of land associated with previously sold operations.

Impact_of_Recent_Accounting_Pr

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Note 20. Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance related to the reporting of amounts reclassified out of AOCI, which is codified in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 220. The new guidance requires entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, entities are required to present significant amounts reclassified out of other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income in certain circumstances, or otherwise cross-reference amounts to other disclosures. The adoption of this new guidance did not have an impact on Viad’s financial condition or results of operations. See Note 11 for required disclosures.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued new guidance related to the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists, which is codified in ASC Topic 740. This new guidance is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Retrospective application is permitted. Management does not believe that this guidance will have an impact on Viad’s financial condition and results of operations.

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Event	'
	Note 21. Subsequent Event
	On October 25, 2013, Viad announced that its Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $2.50 per share, or approximately $50.8 million in the aggregate, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 7, 2013. The dividend will be paid on November 14, 2013.

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Share-Based Compensation Expense	'
	The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense:
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Restricted stock	$	802		$	890		$	2,522		$	2,610
	Performance unit incentive plan (“PUP”)		347			548			871			1,220
	Stock options		3			148			104			450
	Restricted stock units		50			84			72			244
	Total share-based compensation before income tax benefit		1,202			1,670			3,569			4,524
	Income tax benefit		(445	)		(571	)		(1,326	)		(1,606	)
	Total share-based compensation, net of income tax benefit	$	757		$	1,099		$	2,243		$	2,918
Summary of Activity of the Outstanding Share-Based Compensation Awards	'
	The following table summarizes the activity of the outstanding share-based compensation awards:
		Restricted Stock						Restricted Stock Units						PUP Awards
					Weighted-						Weighted-						Weighted-
					Average						Average						Average
					Grant Date						Grant Date						Grant Date
		Shares			Fair Value			Units			Fair Value			Units			Fair Value
	Balance at January 1, 2013		516,351		$	21.25			40,500		$	20.82			210,600		$	21.7
	Granted		101,300			27.28			8,600			27.35			93,100			27.35
	Vested		(161,186	)		20.74			(11,300	)		19.1			—			—
	Forfeited		(5,966	)		23.07			(8,840	)		22.33			(432	)		20.6
	Balance at September 30, 2013		450,499			22.76			28,960			22.98			303,268			23.43
Summary of Stock Option Activity	'
	The following table summarizes stock option activity:
					Weighted-
					Average			Options
		Shares			Exercise Price			Exercisable
	Options outstanding at January 1, 2013		363,896		$	22.03			276,009
	Exercised		(47,343	)		19.48
	Forfeited or expired		(27,419	)		28.22
	Options outstanding at September 30, 2013		289,134			21.87			287,134

Acquisition_of_Businesses_Tabl

Acquisition of Businesses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Summary of Preliminary and Final Amounts Assigned to Assets and Liabilities Acquired	'
	within the Travel & Recreation Group. The following information represents the final amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities of the Banff International Hotel as of the date of acquisition:
		(in thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	10
	Accounts receivable		23
	Other current assets		33
	Property and equipment		20,408
	Goodwill		1,890
	Other intangible assets		1,323
	Total assets acquired		23,687
	Customer deposits		(64	)
	Other current liabilities		(67	)
	Total liabilities acquired		(131	)
	Purchase price	$	23,556
Summary of Unaudited Pro forma Results of Operations Attributable to Viad	'
	The following table summarizes the unaudited pro forma results of operations attributable to Viad assuming that the acquisitions above had each been completed at the beginning of each period:
		Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012		2013		2012
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Revenues	$	236,473		$	307,802	$	771,197	$	823,842
	Depreciation and amortization		7,439			8,560		21,818		23,862
	Segment operating income		24,624			34,110		48,346		49,931
	Net income attributable to Viad		11,855			19,932		26,182		26,916
	Diluted net income per share		0.58			0.98		1.29		1.33
	Basic net income per share		0.58			0.98		1.29		1.33

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Inventories	'
	The components of inventories were as follows:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Raw materials	$	14,792	$	16,422
	Work in process		23,025		19,234
	Inventories	$	37,817	$	35,656

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Summary of Property and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment consisted of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Land and land interests	$	23,951		$	26,124
	Buildings and leasehold improvements		137,932			137,293
	Equipment and other		308,836			310,448
			470,719			473,865
	Accumulated depreciation		(281,119	)		(276,567	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	189,600		$	197,298

Other_Investments_and_Assets_T

Other Investments and Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Other Investments and Assets	'
	Other investments and assets consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Cash surrender value of life insurance	$	19,290	$	19,142
	Workers’ compensation insurance security deposits		3,350		3,350
	Other		8,728		9,924
	Total other investments and assets	$	31,368	$	32,416

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill	'
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, were as follows:
				Marketing &
		Marketing &		Events			Travel &
		Events U.S.		International			Recreation Group			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	62,686	$	23,054		$	52,080		$	137,820
	Goodwill impairment loss		—		—			(4,461	)		(4,461	)
	Business acquisition		—		158			—			158
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		—		(622	)		(1,896	)		(2,518	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	62,686	$	22,590		$	45,723		$	130,999
Goodwill by Reporting Unit and Segment	'
	The following table summarizes goodwill by reporting unit and segment:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Marketing & Events Group:
	Marketing & Events U.S.	$	62,686	$	62,686
	Marketing & Events International:
	GES United Kingdom		13,766		13,894
	GES Canada		8,824		9,160
	Total Marketing & Events Group		85,276		85,740
	Travel & Recreation Group:
	Brewster		42,539		44,435
	Alaska Denali Travel		3,184		3,184
	Glacier Park		—		4,461
	Total Travel & Recreation Group		45,723		52,080
	Total goodwill	$	130,999	$	137,820
Summary of Other Intangible Assets	'
	A summary of other intangible assets as of September 30, 2013, is presented below:
		Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Carrying					Carrying
		Value		Amortization			Value
		(in thousands)
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Contracts and customer relationships	$	5,483	$	(2,238	)	$	3,245
	Other		1,312		(236	)		1,076
			6,795		(2,474	)		4,321
	Unamortized intangible assets:
	Business licenses		460		—			460
	Total	$	7,255	$	(2,474	)	$	4,781
	A summary of other intangible assets as of December 31, 2012 is presented below:
		Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Carrying					Carrying
		Value		Amortization			Value
		(in thousands)
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Contracts and customer relationships	$	3,594	$	(2,384	)	$	1,210
	Other		959		(108	)		851
			4,553		(2,492	)		2,061
	Unamortized intangible assets:
	Business licenses		460		—			460
	Total	$	5,013	$	(2,492	)	$	2,521
Estimated Amortization Expense Related to Amortized Intangible Assets	'
	Estimated amortization expense related to amortized intangible assets for future periods is expected to be as follows:
		(in thousands)
	2013	$	325
	2014		992
	2015		791
	2016		667
	2017		549
	Thereafter		997

Accrued_Liabilities_and_Other_

Accrued Liabilities and Other (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Other Current Liabilities	'
	Other current liabilities consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Continuing operations:
	Customer deposits	$	44,366	$	50,172
	Accrued compensation		18,797		25,067
	Self-insured liability accrual		7,466		8,501
	Accrued foreign income taxes		3,616		28
	Other taxes		3,254		1,325
	Accrued employee benefit costs		3,038		3,132
	Accrued restructuring		2,114		4,084
	Accrued dividends		2,068		2,053
	Accrued sales and use taxes		1,247		3,179
	Other		9,489		8,673
			95,455		106,214
	Discontinued operations:
	Self-insured liability accrual		520		527
	Environmental remediation liabilities		398		571
	Other		176		372
			1,094		1,470
	Total other current liabilities	$	96,549	$	107,684
Other Deferred Items and Liabilities	'
	Other deferred items and liabilities consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Continuing operations:
	Self-insured liability accrual	$	17,326	$	15,579
	Accrued compensation		6,506		8,061
	Accrued restructuring		3,546		3,140
	Foreign deferred tax liability		1,970		2,024
	Other		7,491		6,734
			36,839		35,538
	Discontinued operations:
	Self-insured liability accrual		4,913		5,188
	Environmental remediation liabilities		4,723		4,745
	Accrued income taxes		1,077		1,053
	Other		1,264		1,304
			11,977		12,290
	Total other deferred items and liabilities	$	48,816	$	47,828

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of the Carrying Amounts of Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Viad and the Noncontrolling Interest	'
	The following represents a reconciliation of the carrying amounts of stockholders’ equity attributable to Viad and the noncontrolling interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
			Total Viad						Total
			Stockholders’			Noncontrolling			Stockholders’
			Equity			Interest			Equity
						(in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013		$	388,061		$	8,971		$	397,032
	Net income			26,173			425			26,598
	Dividends on common stock			(6,095	)		—			(6,095	)
	Common stock purchased for treasury			(1,294	)		—			(1,294	)
	Employee benefit plans			3,485			—			3,485
	Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment			(6,092	)		—			(6,092	)
	Unrealized gain on investments			117			—			117
	Prior service credit and net actuarial loss			91			—			91
	ESOP allocation adjustment			850			—			850
	Balance at September 30, 2013		$	405,296		$	9,396		$	414,692
	The following represents a reconciliation of the carrying amounts of stockholders’ equity attributable to Viad and the noncontrolling interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2012:
			Total Viad						Total
			Stockholders’			Noncontrolling			Stockholders’
			Equity			Interest			Equity
						(in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2012		$	377,894		$	8,285		$	386,179
	Net income			27,093			618			27,711
	Dividends on common stock			(3,649	)		—			(3,649	)
	Common stock purchased for treasury			(1,038	)		—			(1,038	)
	Employee benefit plans			3,370			—			3,370
	Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment			7,225			—			7,225
	Unrealized gain on investments			66			—			66
	Prior service credit and net actuarial loss			(35	)		—			(35	)
	ESOP allocation adjustment			1,150			—			1,150
	Other			1			(1	)		—
	Balance at September 30, 2012		$	412,077		$	8,902		$	420,979
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component were as follows:
						Cumulative			Unrecognized
						Foreign			Net Actuarial			Accumulated
			Unrealized			Currency			Loss and			Other
			Gains on			Translation			Prior Service			Comprehensive
			Investments			Adjustments			Credit			Income
			(in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013		$	275		$	42,158		$	(14,968	)	$	27,465
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			162			(6,092	)		—			(5,930	)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax			(45	)		—			91			46
	Net other comprehensive income (loss)			117			(6,092	)		91			(5,884	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013		$	392		$	36,066		$	(14,877	)	$	21,581
Schedule of Reclassification Adjustments	'
	The following table presents information about reclassification adjustments out of AOCI for the nine months ended September 30:
									Affected Line
									Item in the
									Statement Where
									Net Income is
			2013			2012			Presented
			(in thousands)
	Unrealized gain on investments		$	(72	)	$	(45	)	Interest income
	Tax effect			27			16		Income tax expense
			$	(45	)	$	(29	)	Net of tax
	Recognized net actuarial loss		$	827		$	778		See (1) below
	Amortization of prior service credit			(680	)		(835	)	See (1) below
	Tax effect			(56	)		(21	)	Income tax benefit
			$	91		$	(78	)	Net of tax
	-1	Amount is included in pension expense. See Note 15 for additional information.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Information Related to Assets	'
	The fair value information related to these assets is summarized in the following table:
					Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013 Using
	Description		September 30,		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
			2013		in Active		Other		Unobserved
					Markets		Observable		Inputs
					(Level 1)		Inputs		(Level 3)
							(Level 2)
			(in thousands)
	Money market funds		$	16,680	$	16,680	$	—	$	—
	Other mutual funds			1,289		1,289		—		—
	Total		$	17,969	$	17,969	$	—	$	—
Summary of Fair Value Information Related to Assets	'
	The fair value information related to these assets is summarized in the following table:
					Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013 Using
	Description		September 30,		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant		Total
			2013		in Active		Other		Unobserved		Gains
					Markets (Level 1)		Observable		Inputs		(Losses)
							Inputs		(Level 3)
							(Level 2)
			(in thousands)
	Goodwill(1)		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(4,461	)
	Property and equipment(1)			—		—		—		—		(952	)
	Total		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(5,413	)
	(1)	See Note 3 for details of the impairment losses.

Income_Per_Share_Tables

Income Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Computations	'
	The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted per share computations for net income attributable to Viad:
			Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
			(in thousands, except per share data)
	Basic net income per share
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Viad		$	11,855		$	19,976		$	26,173		$	27,093
	Less: Allocation to non-vested shares			(264	)		(532	)		(605	)		(735	)
	Net income allocated to Viad common stockholders		$	11,591		$	19,444		$	25,568		$	26,358
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average outstanding common shares			19,868			19,721			19,839			19,694
	Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders		$	0.58		$	0.99		$	1.29		$	1.34
	Diluted net income per share
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Viad		$	11,855		$	19,976		$	26,173		$	27,093
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average outstanding common shares			19,868			19,721			19,839			19,694
	Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation			323			296			349			299
	Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive shares			20,191			20,017			20,188			19,993
	Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders (1)		$	0.58		$	0.99		$	1.29		$	1.34
	-1	Diluted income per share cannot exceed basic income per share.

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben1

Pension and Postretirement Benefits (Tables) (Foreign Pension Plans [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Foreign Pension Plans [Member]	'
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost of Viad's Pension and Post Retirement Benefit Plan	'
	The net periodic benefit cost of Viad’s pension and postretirement benefit plans for the three months ended September 30 included the following components:
		Domestic Plans
		Pension Plans						Postretirement						Foreign
								Benefit Plans						Pension Plans
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Service cost	$	—		$	24		$	25		$	31		$	134		$	123
	Interest cost		251			276			152			187			175			186
	Expected return on plan assets		(100	)		(84	)		—			(15	)		(175	)		(157	)
	Amortization of prior service credit		—			—			(227	)		(278	)		—			—
	Recognized net actuarial loss		129			110			106			101			10			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	280		$	326		$	56		$	26		$	144		$	152
	The net periodic benefit cost of Viad’s pension and postretirement benefit plans for the nine months ended September 30 included the following components:
		Domestic Plans
		Pension Plans						Postretirement						Foreign
								Benefit Plans						Pension Plans
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
		(in thousands)
	Service cost	$	60		$	78		$	117		$	110		$	405		$	368
	Interest cost		773			863			498			611			531			552
	Expected return on plan assets		(300	)		(305	)		—			(56	)		(530	)		(467	)
	Amortization of prior service credit		—			—			(677	)		(835	)		—			—
	Recognized net actuarial loss		427			368			388			410			30			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	960		$	1,004		$	326		$	240		$	436		$	453

Restructuring_Charges_Tables

Restructuring Charges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Liability Balances by Major Restructuring Activity	'
	The table below represents a reconciliation of Viad’s restructuring liability by major restructuring activity:
		Marketing & Events
		Group Consolidation						Other Restructurings
		Severance &						Severance &
		Employee						Employee
		Benefits			Facilities			Benefits			Facilities			Total
		(in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	720		$	5,571		$	—		$	933		$	7,224
	Restructuring charges, net		1,890			872			137			(692	)		2,207
	Cash payments		(1,434	)		(2,034	)		(62	)		(241	)		(3,771	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	1,176		$	4,409		$	75		$	—		$	5,660

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Income Statement Items of Reportable Segments	'
	Disclosures regarding Viad’s reportable segments with reconciliations to consolidated totals are as follows:
			Three months ended						Nine months ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Revenues:
	Marketing & Events Group:
	U.S.		$	120,503		$	168,395		$	494,355		$	540,741
	International			40,335			67,780			168,974			180,217
	Intersegment eliminations			(4,352	)		(5,871	)		(10,269	)		(11,669	)
				156,486			230,304			653,060			709,289
	Travel & Recreation Group			79,987			77,153			117,890			113,390
			$	236,473		$	307,457		$	770,950		$	822,679
	Segment operating income (loss):
	Marketing & Events Group:
	U.S. (1)		$	(3,745	)	$	(585	)	$	12,971		$	12,235
	International			(4,159	)		3,432			5,821			9,637
				(7,904	)		2,847			18,792			21,872
	Travel & Recreation Group			32,528			31,335			29,540			28,341
				24,624			34,182			48,332			50,213
	Corporate activities			(2,034	)		(2,036	)		(4,007	)		(6,000	)
				22,590			32,146			44,325			44,213
	Interest income			122			153			397			445
	Interest expense			(286	)		(331	)		(905	)		(991	)
	Restructuring charges:
	Marketing & Events U.S.			(185	)		(392	)		(309	)		(2,879	)
	Marketing & Events International			(434	)		(216	)		(1,761	)		(619	)
	Travel & Recreation Group			(77	)		—			(90	)		—
	Corporate			(18	)		—			(47	)		(13	)
	Impairment losses:
	Marketing & Events U.S.			(658	)		—			(658	)		—
	Marketing & Events International			(294	)		—			(294	)		—
	Travel & Recreation Group			(4,461	)		—			(4,461	)		—
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes		$	16,299		$	31,360		$	36,197		$	40,156
	-1	Includes a gain on the sale of a facility and related land of $4.8 million which was recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2013
Reconciliation of Assets From Reportable Segments	'
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Assets:
	Marketing & Events U.S.		$	210,836		$	203,145
	Marketing & Events International			88,996			100,387
	Travel & Recreation Group			247,948			223,199
	Corporate and other			111,380			123,846
			$	659,160		$	650,577

Basis_of_Preparation_and_Princ1

Basis of Preparation and Principles of Consolidation - Additional Information (Detail) (Glacier Park Inc [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	Hotel
	Restaurants
	Lodge
Glacier Park Inc [Member]	'
Basis Of Presentation And Principles Of Consolidation [Line Items]	'
Number of lodges	5
Number of motor inns	3
Number of hotel	1
Percentage of subsidiary's interest owned by Viad	80.00%

ShareBased_Compensation_Summar

Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Share-Based Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation before income tax benefit	$1,202,000	$1,670,000	$3,569,000	$4,524,000
Income tax benefit	-445,000	-571,000	-1,326,000	-1,606,000
Total share-based compensation, net of income tax benefit	757,000	1,099,000	2,243,000	2,918,000
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation before income tax benefit	802,000	890,000	2,522,000	2,610,000
Performance Shares [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation before income tax benefit	347,000	548,000	871,000	1,220,000
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation before income tax benefit	3,000	148,000	104,000	450,000
Restricted Stock Units and Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation before income tax benefit	$50,000	$84,000	$72,000	$244,000

Share_Based_Compensation_Addit

Share Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jan. 31, 2012

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Restructuring Charges [Member]

Performance Unit Incentive Plan (PUP) [Member]

Performance Unit Incentive Plan (PUP) [Member]

Performance Unit Incentive Plan (PUP) [Member]

Performance Unit Incentive Plan (PUP) [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock Units and Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock Units and Performance Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]

PBRS [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based compensation before income tax benefit

$1,202,000

$1,670,000

$3,569,000

$4,524,000

$253,000

$94,000

'

'

'

$3,000

$148,000

$104,000

$450,000

$802,000

$890,000

$2,522,000

$2,610,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,100,000

'

4,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recognition Period of Unrecognized cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'1 year 10 months 24 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repurchase of Common Stock for Employee Tax Withholding Obligations amount

'

'

1,300,000

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repurchased shares tax withholding

'

'

48,937

53,019

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares Available for Grant

1,005,372

'

1,005,372

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities related to restricted stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

405,000

633,000

'

'

'

'

Payments To Employees

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35,000

300,000

257,000

'

Liability awards recorded

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,600,000

'

3,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

PUP award vested

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

161,186

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,300

Total unrecognized cost related to non-vested stock option awards

$3,000

'

$3,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock options granted

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

ShareBased_Compensation_Summar1

Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Activity of the Outstanding Share-Based Compensation Awards (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance, Shares	516,351	'
Granted, Shares	101,300	'
Vested, Shares	-161,186	'
Forfeited, Shares	-5,966	'
Ending Balance, Shares	450,499	'
Beginning Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$21.25	'
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$27.28	'
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$20.74	'
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$23.07	'
Ending Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$22.76	'
Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance, Shares	40,500	'
Granted, Shares	8,600	'
Vested, Shares	-11,300	'
Forfeited, Shares	-8,840	'
Ending Balance, Shares	28,960	'
Beginning Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$20.82	'
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$27.35	'
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$19.10	'
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$22.33	'
Ending Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$22.98	'
Performance Unit Incentive Plan (PUP) [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance, Shares	210,600	'
Granted, Shares	93,100	'
Vested, Shares	0	0
Forfeited, Shares	-432	'
Ending Balance, Shares	303,268	'
Beginning Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$21.70	'
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$27.35	'
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$20.60	'
Ending Balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	$23.43	'

ShareBased_Compensation_Summar2

Share-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Shares	363,896
Exercised, Shares	-47,343
Forfeited or Expired, Shares	-27,419
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Shares	289,134
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$22.03
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$19.48
Forfeited or Expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$28.22
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$21.87
Options outstanding, Beginning Balance, Options Exercisable	276,009
Options outstanding, Ending Balance, Options Exercisable	287,134

Impairment_Losses_Additional_I

Impairment Losses - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
					Marketing & Events Group [Member]	Glacier Park [Member]	Glacier Park [Member]	Glacier Park [Member]	Glacier Park [Member]
								Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Schedule Of Asset Impairment Charges [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Non-cash impairment charge	$4,461,000	'	$4,461,000	'	'	$4,461,000	$4,461,000	'	$892,000
Goodwill impairment loss related to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	892,000	'
Impairment charges	'	'	$5,413,000	'	$952,000	'	'	'	'

Acquisition_of_Businesses_Addi

Acquisition of Businesses - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 19, 2013	Feb. 19, 2013	Feb. 19, 2013	Mar. 07, 2012
	Resource Creative Limited [Member]	Resource Creative Limited [Member]	Resource Creative Limited [Member]	Resource Creative Limited [Member]	Banff International Hotel [Member]
			Customer Relationships [Member]	Noncompete Agreements [Member]	Room
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition	'	$647,000	'	'	$23,600,000
Deferred payment	'	278,000	'	'	'
Property and equipment included in preliminary expense	'	72,000	'	'	20,408,000
Goodwill	'	158,000	'	'	1,890,000
Other intangible assets	'	695,000	564,000	131,000	1,323,000
Liability recorded related to contingent consideration	'	$278,000	'	'	'
Goodwill deductible for tax purpose	'15 years	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average amortization period related to the other intangible assets	'4 years 6 months	'	'	'	'7 years 8 months 12 days
Number of rooms in hotel	'	'	'	'	162

Acquisition_of_Businesses_Summ

Acquisition of Businesses - Summary of Preliminary and Final Amounts Assigned to Assets and Liabilities Acquired (Detail) (Banff International Hotel [Member], USD $)	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 07, 2012
Banff International Hotel [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$10,000
Accounts receivable	23,000
Other current assets	33,000
Property and equipment	20,408,000
Goodwill	1,890,000
Other intangible assets	1,323,000
Total assets acquired	23,687,000
Customer deposits	-64,000
Other current liabilities	-67,000
Total liabilities acquired	-131,000
Purchase price	$23,556,000

Acquisition_of_Businesses_Summ1

Acquisition of Businesses - Summary of Unaudited Pro forma Results of Operations Attributable to Viad (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$236,473	$307,802	$771,197	$823,842
Depreciation and amortization	7,439	8,560	21,818	23,862
Segment operating income	24,624	34,110	48,346	49,931
Net income attributable to Viad	$11,855	$19,932	$26,182	$26,916
Diluted net income per share	$0.58	$0.98	$1.29	$1.33
Basic net income per share	$0.58	$0.98	$1.29	$1.33

Inventories_Components_of_Inve

Inventories - Components of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$14,792	$16,422
Work in process	23,025	19,234
Inventories	$37,817	$35,656

Property_and_Equipment_Summary

Property and Equipment - Summary of Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property and equipment	$470,719	$473,865
Accumulated depreciation	-281,119	-276,567
Property and equipment, net	189,600	197,298
Land and Land Interests [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property and equipment	23,951	26,124
Building and Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property and equipment	137,932	137,293
Equipment and Other [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Total property and equipment	$308,836	$310,448

Property_and_Equipment_Additio

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	$7,100,000	$8,400,000	$20,800,000	$23,100,000
Net selling costs of facility and land	12,696,000	'	12,696,000	'
Gain on sale of facility and related land	$4,775,000	'	$4,775,000	'

Other_Investment_and_Assets_Su

Other Investment and Assets - Summary of Other Investments and Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract]	'	'
Cash surrender value of life insurance	$19,290	$19,142
Workers' compensation insurance security deposits	3,350	3,350
Other	8,728	9,924
Total other investments and assets	$31,368	$32,416

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	'	'	$137,820,000	'
Goodwill impairment loss	-4,461,000	'	-4,461,000	'
Business acquisition	'	'	158,000	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'	-2,518,000	'
Goodwill, Ending balance	130,999,000	'	130,999,000	'
Marketing & Events U.S. [Member]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	'	'	62,686,000	'
Goodwill impairment loss	'	'	'	'
Business acquisition	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, Ending balance	62,686,000	'	62,686,000	'
Marketing & Events International [Member]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	'	'	23,054,000	'
Goodwill impairment loss	'	'	'	'
Business acquisition	'	'	158,000	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'	-622,000	'
Goodwill, Ending balance	22,590,000	'	22,590,000	'
Travel & Recreation Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	'	'	52,080,000	'
Goodwill impairment loss	'	'	-4,461,000	'
Business acquisition	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'	-1,896,000	'
Goodwill, Ending balance	$45,723,000	'	$45,723,000	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill by Reporting Unit and Segment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$130,999	$137,820
Marketing & Events U.S. [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	62,686	62,686
Marketing & Events Group [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	85,276	85,740
Marketing & Events Group [Member] | Marketing & Events U.S. [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	62,686	62,686
Marketing & Events International [Member] | GES United Kingdom [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	13,766	13,894
Marketing & Events International [Member] | GES Canada [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	8,824	9,160
Travel & Recreation Group [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	45,723	52,080
Travel & Recreation Group [Member] | Brewster [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	42,539	44,435
Travel & Recreation Group [Member] | Alaska Denali Travel [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	3,184	3,184
Travel & Recreation Group [Member] | Glacier Park [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	'	$4,461

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Summary of Other Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Value	$6,795	$4,553
Intangible asset, Gross Carrying Value	7,255	5,013
Accumulated Amortization	-2,474	-2,492
Amortized intangible assets, Net Carrying Value	4,321	2,061
Other intangible assets, net	4,781	2,521
Business Licenses [Member]	'	'
Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Unamortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Value	460	460
Unamortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	'	'
Unamortized intangible assets, Net Carrying Value	460	460
Contracts and Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'
Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Value	5,483	3,594
Accumulated Amortization	-2,238	-2,384
Amortized intangible assets, Net Carrying Value	3,245	1,210
Other [Member]	'	'
Other Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized intangible assets, Gross Carrying Value	1,312	959
Accumulated Amortization	-236	-108
Amortized intangible assets, Net Carrying Value	$1,076	$851

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
					Glacier Park [Member]	Glacier Park [Member]	Preferred Supplier Agreement [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
								Glacier Park [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Contract related intangible asset	'	'	'	'	'	'	$2,100,000	'
Intangible asset amortization expense	318,000	187,000	930,000	508,000	'	'	'	'
Goodwill impairment loss	$4,461,000	'	$4,461,000	'	$4,461,000	$4,461,000	'	$892,000

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_6

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expense Related to Amortized Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2013	$325
2014	992
2015	791
2016	667
2017	549
Thereafter	$997

Accrued_Liabilities_and_Other_1

Accrued Liabilities and Other - Other Current Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Discontinued operations:	'	'
Environmental remediation liabilities	$398,000	'
Other Current Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Continuing operations:	'	'
Total Continuing operations	96,549,000	107,684,000
Discontinued operations:	'	'
Total Continuing operations	96,549,000	107,684,000
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member]	'	'
Continuing operations:	'	'
Customer deposits	44,366,000	50,172,000
Accrued compensation	18,797,000	25,067,000
Self-insured liability accrual	7,466,000	8,501,000
Accrued foreign income taxes	3,616,000	28,000
Accrued employee benefit costs	3,038,000	3,132,000
Accrued restructuring	2,114,000	4,084,000
Accrued dividends	2,068,000	2,053,000
Other taxes	3,254,000	1,325,000
Accrued sales and use taxes	1,247,000	3,179,000
Other	9,489,000	8,673,000
Total Continuing operations	95,455,000	106,214,000
Discontinued operations:	'	'
Self-insured liability accrual	7,466,000	8,501,000
Other	9,489,000	8,673,000
Total Continuing operations	95,455,000	106,214,000
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Discontinued Operations [Member]	'	'
Continuing operations:	'	'
Self-insured liability accrual	520,000	527,000
Other	176,000	372,000
Total Continuing operations	1,094,000	1,470,000
Discontinued operations:	'	'
Self-insured liability accrual	520,000	527,000
Environmental remediation liabilities	398,000	571,000
Other	176,000	372,000
Total Continuing operations	$1,094,000	$1,470,000

Accrued_Liabilities_and_Other_2

Accrued Liabilities and Other - Other Deferred Items and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Discontinued operations:	'	'
Environmental remediation liabilities	$4,723	'
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]	'	'
Continuing operations:	'	'
Total Continuing operations	48,816	47,828
Discontinued operations:	'	'
Total Continuing operations	48,816	47,828
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member]	'	'
Continuing operations:	'	'
Self-insured liability accrual	17,326	15,579
Accrued compensation	6,506	8,061
Accrued restructuring	3,546	3,140
Foreign deferred tax liability	1,970	2,024
Other	7,491	6,734
Total Continuing operations	36,839	35,538
Discontinued operations:	'	'
Self-insured liability accrual	17,326	15,579
Other	7,491	6,734
Total Continuing operations	36,839	35,538
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member] | Discontinued Operations [Member]	'	'
Continuing operations:	'	'
Self-insured liability accrual	4,913	5,188
Other	1,264	1,304
Total Continuing operations	11,977	12,290
Discontinued operations:	'	'
Self-insured liability accrual	4,913	5,188
Environmental remediation liabilities	4,723	4,745
Accrued income taxes	1,077	1,053
Other	1,264	1,304
Total Continuing operations	$11,977	$12,290

Debt_and_Capital_Leases_Additi

Debt and Capital Leases - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	31-May-11
			Top Tier Foreign Subsidiaries [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Credit facility	'	'	'	$130
Additional credit facility	'	'	'	50
Credit facility, period	'	'	'	'5 years
Credit facility expiring	'	'	'	18-May-16
Letters of credit	'	'	'	50
Capital stock of top-tier foreign subsidiaries	'	'	65.00%	'
Capital lease obligations, total	1.7	2.2	'	'
Remaining borrowing capacity	128.2	'	'	'
Outstanding letters of credit	1.8	'	'	'
The fees on the unused portion of the Credit Facility	0.35%	'	'	'
Share repurchases	'	10	'	'
Percentage of repurchases of shares	'	1.5	'	'
Dividends declared and paid	'	'ten	'	'
Estimated fair value of total debt	$1.70	$2.10	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Reconcilia

Stockholders' Equity - Reconciliation of the Carrying Amounts of Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Viad and the Noncontrolling Interest (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total Viad shareholder's Equity, Beginning balance	'	'	$388,061	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance	'	'	8,971	'
Total shareholders' Equity, Beginning balance	'	'	397,032	386,179
Net income	11,855	19,976	26,173	27,093
Net income	893	1,080	425	618
Net income	12,748	21,056	26,598	27,711
Dividends on common stock	'	'	-6,095	-3,649
Common stock purchased for treasury	'	'	-1,294	-1,038
Employee benefit plans	'	'	3,485	3,370
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	5,331	6,229	-6,092	7,225
Unrealized gain on investments	62	15	117	66
Prior service credit and net actuarial loss	'	'	91	-35
ESOP allocation adjustment	'	'	850	1,150
Other	'	'	'	'
Total Viad shareholders' Equity, Ending balance	405,296	'	405,296	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance	9,396	'	9,396	'
Total shareholders' Equity, Ending balance	414,692	420,979	414,692	420,979
Total Viad Shareholder's Equity [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total Viad shareholder's Equity, Beginning balance	'	'	388,061	377,894
Net income	'	'	26,173	27,093
Dividends on common stock	'	'	-6,095	-3,649
Common stock purchased for treasury	'	'	-1,294	-1,038
Employee benefit plans	'	'	3,485	3,370
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	'	'	-6,092	7,225
Unrealized gain on investments	'	'	117	66
Prior service credit and net actuarial loss	'	'	91	-35
ESOP allocation adjustment	'	'	850	1,150
Other	'	'	'	1
Total Viad shareholders' Equity, Ending balance	405,296	412,077	405,296	412,077
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance	'	'	8,971	8,285
Net income	'	'	425	618
Dividends on common stock	'	'	'	'
Common stock purchased for treasury	'	'	'	'
Employee benefit plans	'	'	'	'
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain on investments	'	'	'	'
Prior service credit and net actuarial loss	'	'	'	'
ESOP allocation adjustment	'	'	'	'
Other	'	'	'	-1
Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance	$9,396	$8,902	$9,396	$8,902

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Additional repurchased shares	'	'	1,000,000
Shares remain available for repurchase from the announced authorization	1,030,438	'	30,438
Repurchased shares	0	0	'
Share repurchased relating to tax withholding requirements	$1.30	$1	'
Repurchased shares tax withholding	48,937	53,019	'

Stockholders_Equity_Changes_in

Stockholders' Equity - Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Unrealized Gains on Investments, Beginning Balance	'	'	$275	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassification, Unrealized gains on investments	'	'	162	'
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax	'	'	-45	-29
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	117	'
Unrealized Gains on Investments, Ending Balance	392	'	392	'
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Beginning Balance	'	'	42,158	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassification, Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	5,331	6,229	-6,092	7,225
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax, Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	'	'	'	'
Net other comprehensive income (loss), Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	-6,092	'
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments, Ending Balance	36,066	'	36,066	'
Unrecognized Net Actuarial loss and Prior Service Credit, Beginning Balance	'	'	-14,968	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, Unrecognized Net Actuarial loss and Prior Service Credit	'	'	'	'
Amounts reclassified from AOCI, net of tax, Unrecognized Net Actuarial loss and Prior Service Credit	'	'	91	-78
Net other comprehensive income (loss), Unrecognized Net Actuarial loss and Prior Service Credit	'	'	91	'
Unrecognized Net Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Credit, Ending Balance	-14,877	'	-14,877	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Beginning Balance	'	'	27,465	'
Other Comprehensive Income before reclassification, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	-5,930	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	46	'
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	5,403	6,204	-5,884	7,256
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Ending Balance	$21,581	'	$21,581	'

Stockholders_Equity_Schedule_o

Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Reclassification Adjustments (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Equity [Abstract]	'	'
Unrealized gain on investments	($72)	($45)
Tax effect	27	16
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	-45	-29
Recognized net actuarial loss	827	778
Amortization of prior service credit	-680	-835
Tax effect	-56	-21
Other comprehensive income loss pension and other postretirement benefit plans, cost reclassification adjustment net of tax, income tax expense	$91	($78)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value Information Related to Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Assets	$17,969
Money Market Funds [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Assets	16,680
Other Mutual Funds [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Assets	1,289
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Assets	17,969
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Assets	16,680
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Other Mutual Funds [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Assets	1,289
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Assets	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Assets	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Other Mutual Funds [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Assets	'
Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Assets	'
Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Assets	'
Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Other Mutual Funds [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Assets	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Measurement [Line Items]	'	'
Unrealized gains on the investments after-tax	$392,000	$275,000
Money Market Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurement [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	16,700,000	10,200,000
Unrealized gains on the investments	0	0
Other Mutual Funds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurement [Line Items]	'	'
Investments	1,300,000	1,200,000
Unrealized gains on the investments	641,000	450,000
Unrealized gains on the investments after-tax	$392,000	$275,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Summar

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Fair Value Information Related to Assets (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	$17,969,000	'	$17,969,000	'
Total Gains (Losses), Goodwill	-4,461,000	'	-4,461,000	'
Total Gains (Losses), Property and equipment	-952,000	'	-952,000	'
Total Gains (Losses)	'	'	-5,413,000	'
Goodwill [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Total Gains (Losses), Goodwill	'	'	-4,461,000	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Total Gains (Losses), Property and equipment	'	'	-952,000	'
Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	17,969,000	'	17,969,000	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Goodwill [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Goodwill [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Goodwill [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Significant Unobserved Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'

Income_Per_Share_Reconciliatio

Income Per Share - Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Computations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Viad	$11,855	$19,976	$26,173	$27,093
Less: Allocation to non-vested shares	-264	-532	-605	-735
Net income allocated to Viad common stockholders	11,591	19,444	25,568	26,358
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average outstanding common shares	19,868	19,721	19,839	19,694
Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation	323	296	349	299
Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive shares	20,191	20,017	20,188	19,993
Weighted-average outstanding common shares	19,868	19,721	19,839	19,694
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$0.58	$0.99	$1.29	$1.34
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Viad	$11,855	$19,976	$26,173	$27,093
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average outstanding common shares	19,868	19,721	19,839	19,694
Additional dilutive shares related to share-based compensation	323	296	349	299
Weighted-average outstanding and potentially dilutive shares	20,191	20,017	20,188	19,993
Weighted-average outstanding common shares	19,868	19,721	19,839	19,694
Net income attributable to Viad common stockholders	$0.58	$0.99	$1.29	$1.34

Income_Per_Share_Additional_In

Income Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Additional dilutive shares related to share- based compensation	323,000	296,000	349,000	299,000
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Common stock shares effect would be anti-dilutive	'	'	47,000	436,000

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate	29.30%	32.60%	'
Federal statutory rate	35.00%	'	'
Gross deferred tax assets	$73,400,000	'	$77,200,000
Valuation allowance related to the foreign tax credit carryforwards	14,700,000	'	14,600,000
Accrued gross liabilities	636,000	'	636,000
Accrued interest and penalties for discontinued operations	441,000	'	418,000
Period of unrecognized tax benefits not expected to be recognized	'12 months	'	'
Liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions	$1,100,000	'	$1,100,000
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'
Period of tax credit	'10 years	'	'
Expiration period	'2019	'	'

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben2

Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost of Viad's Pension and Post Retirement Benefit Plan (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Pension Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	'	$24	$60	$78
Interest cost	251	276	773	863
Expected return on plan assets	-100	-84	-300	-305
Amortization of prior service credit	'	'	'	'
Recognized net actuarial loss	129	110	427	368
Net periodic benefit cost	280	326	960	1,004
Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	25	31	117	110
Interest cost	152	187	498	611
Expected return on plan assets	'	-15	'	-56
Amortization of prior service credit	-227	-278	-677	-835
Recognized net actuarial loss	106	101	388	410
Net periodic benefit cost	56	26	326	240
Foreign Pension Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	134	123	405	368
Interest cost	175	186	531	552
Expected return on plan assets	-175	-157	-530	-467
Amortization of prior service credit	'	'	'	'
Recognized net actuarial loss	10	'	30	'
Net periodic benefit cost	$144	$152	$436	$453

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben3

Pension and Postretirement Benefits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Funded Plan [Member]	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'
Amount expected to be contributed to funded pension plans	$2,600,000
Amount contributed to pension plans	2,300,000
Unfunded Pension Plans [Member]	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'
Amount contributed to pension plans	665,000
Amount expected to contributed to unfunded pension plans	1,100,000
Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'
Amount expected to be contributed to postretirement benefit plans	400,000
Amount contributed to postretirement benefit plans	$64,000

Restructuring_Charges_Addition

Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	$714	$608	$2,207	$3,511
Facilities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	'	$2,200	'

Restructuring_Charges_Reconcil

Restructuring Charges - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Liability Balances by Major Restructuring Activity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Balance at January 1, 2013	'	'	$7,224	'
Restructuring charges, net	714	608	2,207	3,511
Cash payments	'	'	-3,771	-2,761
Balance at September 30, 2013	5,660	'	5,660	'
Facilities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges, net	'	'	2,200	'
Marketing & Events Group [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges, net	185	392	309	2,879
Marketing & Events Group [Member] | Severance & Employee Benefits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Balance at January 1, 2013	'	'	720	'
Restructuring charges, net	'	'	1,890	'
Cash payments	'	'	-1,434	'
Balance at September 30, 2013	1,176	'	1,176	'
Marketing & Events Group [Member] | Facilities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Balance at January 1, 2013	'	'	5,571	'
Restructuring charges, net	'	'	872	'
Cash payments	'	'	-2,034	'
Balance at September 30, 2013	4,409	'	4,409	'
Other Restructurings [Member] | Severance & Employee Benefits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Balance at January 1, 2013	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges, net	'	'	137	'
Cash payments	'	'	-62	'
Balance at September 30, 2013	75	'	75	'
Other Restructurings [Member] | Facilities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Balance at January 1, 2013	'	'	933	'
Restructuring charges, net	'	'	-692	'
Cash payments	'	'	-241	'
Balance at September 30, 2013	'	'	'	'

Litigation_Claims_Contingencie1

Litigation, Claims, Contingencies and Other - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Environmental remediation liability	$5,100,000	'
Environment remediation liability included in other current liabilities	398,000	'
Environment remediation liability included in other deferred items and liabilities	4,723,000	'
Maximum potential amount of future payments	15,500,000	'
Guarantees relate to leased facilities expiry date	'October 2017	'
Recourse provision to recover guarantees	0	'
Concession contract expiration date	'	31-Dec-13
Possessory interest	'	25,000,000
Estimated amount for personal property	'	$5,000,000
Revenue through concession contract	'	49.00%
Operating lease term	'42 years	'
Ground lease end date	31-Jan-52	'
Segment operating income	24.00%	'

Segment_Information_Reconcilia

Segment Information - Reconciliation of Assets From Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	$236,473,000	$307,457,000	$770,950,000	$822,679,000	'
Segment operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Corporate activities	-2,034,000	-2,036,000	-4,007,000	-6,000,000	'
Segment operating income (loss), Total	22,590,000	32,146,000	44,325,000	44,213,000	'
Interest income	122,000	153,000	397,000	445,000	'
Restructuring charges	-714,000	-608,000	-2,207,000	-3,511,000	'
Interest expense	-286,000	-331,000	-905,000	-991,000	'
Impairment losses	'	'	-5,413,000	'	'
Income before income taxes	16,299,000	31,360,000	36,197,000	40,156,000	'
Assets	659,160,000	'	659,160,000	'	650,577,000
Marketing & Events Group [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	156,486,000	230,304,000	653,060,000	709,289,000	'
Segment operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Segment operating income (loss), Total	-7,904,000	2,847,000	18,792,000	21,872,000	'
Restructuring charges	-185,000	-392,000	-309,000	-2,879,000	'
Impairment losses	-658,000	'	-658,000	'	'
Travel & Recreation Groups [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	79,987,000	77,153,000	117,890,000	113,390,000	'
Segment operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Segment operating income (loss), Total	32,528,000	31,335,000	29,540,000	28,341,000	'
Restructuring charges	-77,000	'	-90,000	'	'
Impairment losses	-4,461,000	'	-4,461,000	'	'
Assets	247,948,000	'	247,948,000	'	223,199,000
Corporate and Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	-18,000	'	-47,000	-13,000	'
Assets	111,380,000	'	111,380,000	'	123,846,000
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	-4,352,000	-5,871,000	-10,269,000	-11,669,000	'
Other Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Segment operating income (loss), Total	24,624,000	34,182,000	48,332,000	50,213,000	'
Marketing & Events International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Restructuring charges	-434,000	-216,000	-1,761,000	-619,000	'
Impairment losses	-294,000	'	-294,000	'	'
U.S. [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	120,503,000	168,395,000	494,355,000	540,741,000	'
Segment operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Segment operating income (loss), Total	-3,745,000	-585,000	12,971,000	12,235,000	'
U.S. [Member] | Marketing & Events Group [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	210,836,000	'	210,836,000	'	203,145,000
International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	40,335,000	67,780,000	168,974,000	180,217,000	'
Segment operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Segment operating income (loss), Total	-4,159,000	3,432,000	5,821,000	9,637,000	'
International [Member] | Marketing & Events Group [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	$88,996,000	'	$88,996,000	'	$100,387,000

Segment_Information_Reconcilia1

Segment Information - Reconciliation of Assets From Reportable Segments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Gain on sale of facility and related land	$4,775	'	$4,775	'

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Sale of land related to discontinued operations, net of tax	$1,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Income from discontinued operations	'	$1,006,000	'	$639,000	$1,006,000	$639,000

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event [Member], USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 25, 2013
Subsequent Event [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Dividend Declared Date	25-Oct-13
Dividend declared per share	$2.50
Dividend payments	$50.80
Dividend Record Date	7-Nov-13
Dividend Payment Date	14-Nov-13