A quick-release system is useful for travel and family photos, but it isn’t essential. Its value mostly depends on how often you’ll be mounting and removing the camera, and how patient your family is while you set up.

For casual travel use, many people simply keep the camera attached and carry the tripod with the legs folded between shots. In that case, quick setup/folding can matter as much as quick release.

That said, cheap quick-release systems are not always a big advantage. Some are only slightly faster than screwing the camera on directly, can be fiddly to secure, and add another small part to lose or snag on straps and bags. A poor quick-release plate can also increase the chance of mounting mistakes.

If you want the feature, it usually comes from the tripod head rather than the legs, so in many cases it can be added later by using a different head. A good ball head can be a better choice than a low-quality quick-release system.

So: nice to have, not mandatory. Prioritize stability, ease of carrying, and fast overall handling over having quick release at any cost.