Altcoins may actually be the future of cryptocurrencies rather than Bitcoin for various reasons including transaction speed and fees. As Bitcoin is priced really high, entry is hard for those new to cryptocurrencies, and altcoins are much cheaper alternatives.
I would agree with this statement. Bitcoin was first...so that's why it has traction. It is not, however, the best functioning currency out there. Some of these other projects are very promising. I look at bitcoin as being the Ford Model T of cars. Sure, it was the first and paved the way for future cars...but it's not as fast as new cars.