How might European interest in exploration have increased as a result of the Crusades?

European interest in exploration might have increased following the Crusades due to the loss of power in the Middle East and the desire to gain power in other regions and in some ways more importantly more inexpensive trade routes to Asia. In seeking to find a sea route to Asia the Europeans sought to bypass the high costs of land trade and travel through Western Asia following the Muslim victories in the Crusades.